A DICTIONARY
OF
::.';...: ^km:,m.
CLARKE
*\-
IIs-
A DICTIONARY
OF
DOMESTIC MEDICINE.
A DICTIONARY
OF
Domestic Medicine
GIVING
A DESCRIPTION OF DISEASES, DIRECTIONS
FOR THEIR GENERAL MANAGEMENT
AND
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
WITH A SPECIAL SECTION' OX
DISEASES OF INFANTS.
HV
JOHN H. CLARKE, M.D. Edix.
FELLOW BRITISH HOMOEOPATHIC SOCIETY.
EXT. MEM. ROY. MED. SOC. EDIX.
PHYSICl\N TO THE LONDON" HOMCEOPATHIC HOSPITAL, AND LECTURER ON
MATERIA MEDICA TO THE L.H.H. MEDICAL SCHOOL.
Editor oj " Hemaeopatkte World f Author of " The Preserver," " An Media,"
" frdide of Arsenic in Organic Disease ?fthe Heart;' Ore, I
LONDON :
KLEXL & ASHWELL, 74 NEW BOND STREET, W
NEW YORK :
BOERICKE ft TAFEL. 145 GRAND STREET.
1890.
[All Rights Ret
Mht.
Coll,
PR KF ACE.
Many non-medical readers of the PrescHber having requested
me to bring out a more popular and elementary work on
the same lines of arrangement, I have used such leisure
moments as I could find during a number of years in pre-
paring such a work, and the present volume is the result.
The Prescribe)- was originally intended for the use of
O J
medical men or medical students ; no description of diseases
was given, but simply under the heading of the name of the
disease the medicines most commonly indicated, with their
differential indications. The Dictionary follows the plan
of the Prescribe/- in giving in alphabetical order a list of
diseases, with the appropriate homoeopathic treatment, but,
in addition, each disease is described as plainly and con-
cisely as possible, with diagnostic hints for distinguishing it
from other similar diseases ; and directions are also added
for dieting and general management.
In their proper alphabetical place will also be found
special articles on Baths, Clothing, and Diet ; and under
vi PREFACE.
the heading " Infants " a sub-alphabetical arrangement of the
disorders peculiar to the earliest years of life.
In the compilation of the Dictionary many sources have
been drawn upon, but the author makes himself responsible
for all the advice here given. Dr. Constantine Hering's
Domestic Physician^ the most original of domestic treatises,
and the author's Prescriber are the works which have been
most largely used.
John H. Clarke.
34 Harrington Road,
London, S.W.,
May 1890.
ERRATUM.
Page 51, line 6 from bottom, /i^ " then thicken :' read " this thickens.''
INTRODUCTION.
HOMOEOPATHY.
Homoeopathy is a system of cure based on the fact that
any substance which is capable of producing symptoms of
disease in the healthy will remove those symptoms and
cure the disease when met with in the sick. That such a
principle of cure existed was first enunciated by Hippo-
crates, but it was not until centuries after, when Hahne-
mann seized upon the idea, and by his herculean labours
reconstructed the Materia Medica, that Homoeopathy be-
came what we now know it — the most complete and scien-
tific system of healing the sick the world has ever
seen. Only those who have never experienced its effects
in their own persons, and those who have not the skill or
the patience to practise it, are now found capable of denying
its existence.
There are two reasons why so many medical men are
found who know nothing of Homoeopathy. The first is
that it entails an enormous amount of trouble to learn to
practise it as medical men must — nothing short of acquiring
a new art after they have finished their work at the schools ;
and the other is that, as one result of their pains, they lose
caste with their professional brethren. For these two
reasons homoeopathic doctors are likely to be for some
viii INTRODUCTION.
time to come a scarce commodity. Hence arises the
necessity for books like the present, which shall enable those
who cannot obtain homoeopathic medical advice to practise
homoeopathy in their own homes and families. The
Dictionary is not intended to make homoeopathic physi-
cians, but to convey in easily accessible form such infor-
mation as intelligent people ought to possess about diseases
and their treatment, and to enable them to apply the
treatment when the case is not too grave for a non-medical
person to undertake.
MATERIA MEDICA.
The Homoeopathic Materia Medica consists of a record
of the symptoms produced by the different drugs on healthy
people. Those medicines which have produced the most
marked and the greatest number of symptoms are the most
important in homoeopathic practice, as they afford the
greatest number of points for comparison with the symp-
toms met with in disease. In this work only the most
commonly required drugs are mentioned. To have
introduced more would have been confusing rather than
helpful. In stocking a full-sized Homoeopathic Medicine
Chest the following medicines should be included; for a
small-sized chest it will be sufficient to include only those
printed in capitals. These are not the only medicines
mentioned in the Dictionary, but the others are only
required exceptionally, and can be obtained when wanted.
Names. A bbreviations. .
ACONITE Aeon.
Antimonium crudum ..... Ant. c.
ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM . . Ant. t.
APIS , Apis.
ARNICA Am.
ARSENICUM ALBUM .... Ars.
INTRODUCTION.
IX
Aravics.
BELLADONNA .
BRYONIA .
CALCAREA CARBONICA
CAMPHOR .
Carbo vegetabilis .
Causticum
CHAMOMILLA .
CHINA .
Cina
Coffea
COLOCYNTH
Dulcamara
Ferrum .
Gelsemium
Graphites
Hamamelis
HEPAR SULPHURIS
Hyoscynmus .
IGNATIA AMARA
IPECACUANHA
Kali bichromicum .
Kali carbonicum
LACHESIS .
LYCOPODICM .
MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS
NATRUM MUR.
Nitric Acid .
NUX VOMICA .
Abbreviations.
. Bell.
. Bry.
. Calc. c.
Camph.
. Carb v.
Caust.
Cham.
. Chin.
. Cina.
. Coff.
. Coloc.
. Dulc.
. Ferr.
. Gels.
. Graph.
Ham.
. Hep.
. Hyo.
• Ign.
. Ipec.
. Kilibi.
. Kali c.
. Lach.
. Lye.
. Merc. s.
. Nat. m.
. Nit. ac.
Nux v.
INTRODUCTION.
Names. Abbreviations.
Opium Op.
PHOSPHORUS Phos.
Phytolacca ....... Phyt.
Podophyllin ....... Pod.
PULSATILLA Puis.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON . . Rhus.
Sabina
Secaie
SEPIA .
SILICA .
Spongia .
Staphisagria
Stramonum
SULPHUR
Sabi.
Sec.
Sep.
Sil.
Spo.
Stap.
Stram.
Sulph.
Thuja occidentalis ...... Thuj.
Veratrum Album ...... Ver.
Strong tinctures required for external application-
Arnica.
Calendula.
More rarely required —
Hamameiis.
Hypericum.
Ledum.
ATTENUATION OR POTENCY.
The mode of preparation of homoeopathic medicines is
peculiar. Hahnemann discovered that many substances,
such as chalk and flint, which in their crude state are inert,
when finely triturated by being ground in a mortar with
INTRODUCTION. «
sugar of milk, develop surprising powers. He also found
that vegetable and liquid poisons, by being gradually
attenuated by dilution in a special way, lose all their
material, physical, and chemical properties, whilst retaining
their medical properties unimpaired. The scale in which
he attenuated drugs was in the proportion of i part of the
substance to 99 parts of the attenuating medium (whether
alcohol or sugar of milk) for each degree. Hahnemann
carried all his medicines up to the 30th degree, and expe-
rience has shown that from the lowest attenuation to the
highest all are effective. For ordinary domestic practice
the 3rd attenuation of all soluble substances, and the 6th
or 1 2th of all insolubles (Calcarea, Carbo veg., Ferrum,
Graphites, Hepar, Lycopod., Sepia, Silica), are the best for
general use. But where the lower attenuations prove
ineffectual in old-standing cases, the higher should be tried
before changing a remedy that seems appropriate. The
30th attenuations of Sulphur, Lycopodium, and Calcarea
are useful to have in reserve. Camphor is most useful in
the strong tincture or strong pilules.
FORM OF ADMINISTRATION.
The four principal forms in which homoeopathic medicines
are administered are : Tinctures, Triturations, Pilules, and
Globules; and any of these may be dissolved in water and
the solution given in spoonfuls. Of the tinctures one drop
is enough for a dose, and it may be given in a teaspoonful
or dessert-spoonful of water, or on a piece of loaf sugar. If it
is desired to repeat the dose frequently, eight or ten drops
may be mixed in as many spoonfuls of water, a spoonful
being given as often as is desired. One or two grains of a
trituration (as much as would lie on a threepenny bit, or
a sixpence) is the usual dose, one or two pilules, and two
to five globules. For hot climates globules of the 12th or
xii INTRODUCTION.
30th attenuation are the best for keeping. All bottles con-
taining homoeopathic medicines should have perfect necks
and be fitted with sound corks. The corks should have
the name of the medicine and the strength written upon it.
Corks should never be changed from one bottle to another,
and a bottle that has once contained one medicine should
never be used for another. Special cups and earthenware
spoons are sold by chemists for homoeopathic medicines,
and are very useful. After each using they should be
washed with hot water and thoroughly dried.
REPETITION OF DOSE.
Hints are given throughout the work as to how frequently
a dose of a medicine should be repeated. As a general rule
in acute cases the repetition should be frequent — as often
as every five minutes where the symptoms are very urgent —
until a decided remission of symptoms occurs, then gradu-
ally increasing the intervals until the symptoms have gone.
In acute cases, if there is no improvement after a few hours,
a fresh medicine should be sought, but great care should be
taken not to change a medicine too soon. If there is the
smallest sign of improvement, continue the medicine, as a
change may spoil all. In chronic cases a medicine should
be given once, twice, or thrice a day until decided improve-
ment sets in. It may then be discontinued, and not re-
peated until the improvement comes to a stand-still. One
grand rule to observe in all cases, acute or chronic, is this—
NO SYMPTOMS, NO MEDICINE.
A DICTIONARY
OF
DOMESTIC MEDICINE.
ABSCESS. — The formation of matter as a consequence of
inflammation of tissues under the skin, or mucous
membrane, is called an abscess. An abscess may be
acute or chronic. An acute abscess may follow an
injury such as a blow, or the presence of a foreign
body, as shot or a piece of wood, which has been
driven into the flesh. A common seat of both acute
and chronic abscesses is the lymphatic glands of the
neck, groins, or armpits. Following a simple cold,
or inflammation of the throat, especially in connection
with fevers like scarlatina, the glands in the neck
become irritated, and, if the irritation is intense, the
tissues are then inflamed and form abscesses. The
glands in the groin and armpit may become centres
of inflammation or abscess in the same way from
cold, over-strain, or injury to the skin of the foot or
hand. Another common abscess met with in nursing
women is abscess of the breast. Chronic abscesses
appear in the same situations, and from the same
causes, when there is some constitutional depravity, as
scrofula. The commonest and most serious chronic
A
ABSCESS.
abscesses arise in connection with diseased bones. When
the bone of any part becomes diseased, whether the bone
of the spine or of any other part of the skeleton, the
tissues around are irritated, as they are by the presence
of a splinter or foreign body; they consequently become
inflamed, and very large abscesses sometimes result.
Diagnosis. — The distinguishing features of an acute
abscess are swelling, heat, redness, and pain. It is
distinguished from other swellings and tumours by the
rapidity of its formation, and by the throbbing pain
and tenderness of the part, and by the constitutional
symptoms, especially shivering fits, or " rigors," as
they are called. The formation of an internal abscess
may be discovered by the occurrence of these rigors
when there is no other apparent cause. When the
abscess is large, and has ripened, the sensation of
" fluctuation " gives additional certainty. This is ob-
tained by laying the finger on one side of the swelling,
and gently tapping the other side ; a wave of impulse
passes from side to side as when an india-rubber bag
containing fluid is tapped in the same way. In chronic
abscess there is less acute pain, and the formation is
more slow, but there are rigors, and fluctuation can
generally be obtained. With the constitutional history
of the patient there will not be much difficulty in
diagnosing the case, and, of course, when the abscess
discharges, all doubt is set at rest.
General Treatment. — In the forming stage the part
must be given absolute rest. As soon as matter has
formed, if the pain is great, warm poultices of lin-
seed or bread may be applied. After the abscess has
opened, or has been opened, the poultices should be
discontinued, and calendula lotion applied. Abscesses
occurring in special places, as the ear and the breast,
require special treatment, which will be described
under those headings. The opening of chronic
ACCIDENTS— ACIDITY. 3
abscesses is attended with considerable danger, and
should always be performed by a medical man. The
dressing of chronic abscesses requires the services of
a skilled nurse for the proper washing out and dressing
of the cavity. Calendula lotion (one part of the tincture
to ten) is of the greatest service in these cases.
Medicines. — (Every hour when the symptoms are acute
until relief is obtained, then less often.)
Merc. sol. — So long as there is any chance of stopping the
inflammatory process ; also for hardness remaining after
the abscess has healed.
Bell. — When there is much redness, pain, and throbbing
with it.
Hep. — When matter has formed; this will assist the
maturing of the abscess, and in many cases render
opening the abscess unnecessary.
Silic. — When discharge has taken place. Profuse dis-
charge in chronic abscess.
ACCIDENTS. See BRUISES, BURNS, WOUNDS.
ACIDITY. — Definition.— A disordered condition of the
stomach, in which an abnormal quantity of acid is
secreted. The symptoms are, heat in the pit of the
stomach, sour risings into the mouth, and sour taste
in the mouth.
Diagnosis. — Acidity is a form of dyspepsia, and it may
be uncomplicated. In that case it may be treated as
an isolated disease. When it is only a symptom of
disease of the stomach, the complicating symptoms, as
wasting, loss of strength, and abdominal pains, will
show what is the nature of the disease, and the patient
will have to be treated according to the totality of the
symptoms.
General Treatment.— Avoidance of fat, sugar, and
starchy foods. Copious draughts of hot or cold water
are sometimes of service.
4 ACNK— AGUE.
Medicines. — Two or three times a day until relief is
obtained.
Calc. carb. — The most generally useful medicine j especi-
ally indicated if the patient is pale, has cold, damp feet,
and tendency to perspire about the head.
Argent, nit. 6. — Pain at the stomach, with eructation of
wind, which gives relief.
Lye. — Constipation with much flatulence, dark-coloured
urine ; symptoms worse from 4-8 p.m.
Snlph. — Sinking at the pit of the stomach about n or 12
in the morning ; hot flushings ; constipation, or diarrhoea
driving the patient out of bed in the morning. See
also HEARTBURN and WATERBRASH ; and under
PREGNANCY: Heartburn.
ACNE. — Definition. — Pimples, usually on the face, but
also sometimes on the back and chest, and other
parts, occurring mostly at the period of adolescence,
and affecting the sebaceous glands of the skin.
General Treatment.— Avoidance of indigestible articles
of food and all self-indulgent habits. Proper attention
to bathing and exercise.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day until there is
marked improvement, then at increasing intervals.)
Carl?, v. — The most useful medicine in simple and recent
cases occurring in young persons.
Puis. — In pale, impressionable subjects.
Bell. — Acne of face in young, full-blooded people.
Nat. Mur. — In persons of earthy complexion who suffer
from constipation, or are bloodless.
Calc. and Sulph. should be given according as the con-
stitution of the patient corresponds to either. See
CONSTITUTIONS.
AGUE. — Definition. — Fever occurring in marshy places,
coming in paroxysms of one, two, or more days' inter-
val ; commencing with chill, and followed by heat and
sweat.
AGUE. 5
Diagnosis. — There is not much difficulty in distinguish-
ing ague or intermittent fever from other fevers.
The chill, followed by heat and sweat, the disappear-
ance of the fever, and the return at more or less
regular intervals, are characteristic. All these features
are not always present in every case. There may be
absence of chill or of sweat, but there will always be
sufficient to decide its true nature. In the eruptive
fever there is the rash, and the fever is continuous. In
rheumatic fever the fever is also continuous, and there
is affection of the joints. In ague there are often bone
pains, but these are intermittent, like the fever.
General Treatment. — Where the air is malarious, the
bedroom window should be open only a few hours in
the middle of the day, and should never be on the ground
floor. Nothing that lies heavy on the stomach should
be eaten ; pastry and baked or roasted things should be
avoided. Attention should be paid to the clothing,
which should be warm and well aired. During the
sweating stage of the fever, the patient should lie
between blankets. If he is thirsty, he may drink water
if it is good, toast-and-water if it is not.
Prophylactic Treatment. — Before entering a mala-
rious district, it is advisable to take, for a week or two
beforehand, one dose daily of China, or Arsen., and
also from time to time whilst in the district. Those who
live in marshy places, or near newly opened canals or
dug land, should take, as soon as they feel any signs of
illness, a dose of China. In twelve hours, if no better,
they should take a dose of Ipecac, and after another
twelve hours a dose of China, again. If this does not
suffice to dissipate the illness, one of the following
medicines must be given.
Medicines. — (A few doses to be given before an attack
is expected, and after it is over, not during the attack.)
AGUE.
Ipecac. — Much internal chilliness, which is increased by
external warmth ; little or no thirst in the cold stage,
but much in the hot stage ; clean or slightly furred
tongue ; nausea and vomiting, and oppression of the
chest immediately before the attack, or during the cold
and hot stages.
Ipecac, will often develop the characteristics of an attack.
If there is any doubt about the remedy, give Ipecac.
every four hours after an attack is over for one day,
and then another dose just before the attack is ex-
pected. It may be there will be no other attack. If
another attack occurs, another remedy must be given
according to the indications.
Arscn. — When the different stages are not distinctly
marked, chills, heat, and sweat occurring together; or
when frequent changes from chilliness to heat, and
internal chilliness with external heat ; paroxysms im-
perfectly developed • little or no sweat, or not till long
after the heat has subsided ; prostration ; burning pains ;
restlessness, anxiety ; drinking often, and but little at a
time ; uneasiness about the heart or oppression and
spasms of the chest ; nausea or sickness and vomiting ;
bitter taste ; violent headache continuing after the hot
stage ; buzzing in the ears during sweating. All the
patient's sufferings, as headache and pains in the limbs,
are worse during the attack.
Chi?ia. — Paroxysm preceded by nausea \ voracious appe-
tite ; headache ; agitation ; palpitation ; sneezing; thirst
during sweat, sometimes continuing all the time be-
tween the attacks ; chills alternating with heat, or when
the heat does not come on for some time after the chills
have ceased; sleeplessness, or disturbed sleep; prostra-
tion and sallow complexion. When there is much
thirst in the cold or hot stages it must not be given.
Calc. — Alternate chills and heat ; external coldness and
internal heat ; heat in the head and face, with coldness
AGUE. 7
of the limbs, and clammy hands and feet, sometimes
cold up to the abdomen ; giddiness ; feeling of heavi-
ness in the head and limbs j violent pains in the small
of the back and anxiety.
Sulph. — Attacks coming on in the after part of the day,
with evening chills, fever during the night, with sweat-
ing in the morning ; palpitation of the heart. After
checked eruptions.
Verat. — External coldness with internal heat; cold,
clammy sweat, especially on the forehead, and general
coldness of the whole body ; chilliness without heat,
or chilliness and heat by turns ; giddiness ; constipa-
tion or diarrhoea ; sometimes nausea or vomiting, or
pain in the back and loins.
Puis. — When the slightest disorder of the stomach brings
on a relapse. Absence of thirst during the whole attack,
or thirst only during the hot stage ; heat and chilliness
at the same time ; bitter taste in the mouth ; bitter or
sour vomiting of phlegm or bile \ the attacks come on
in afternoon or evening, and the patient complains of
chilliness continually.
Ignat.—^ When there is thirst in the cold stage but not in
hot ; chilliness relieved by external warmth ; heat of
some parts of the body and chill of others ; heat ex-
ternally only; pain in the bowels during the cold stage,
followed by heat, with debility and sleepiness.
Nux v.— W hen the attack begins with great debility and
desire to lie down ; giddiness j cramps in muscles of
abdomen or calves ; stitches in the sides ; alternate
heat and chills, or heat preceding the chills ; heat ex-
ternally and chilliness internally, or vice versa ; desire
to be constantly covered, even during the hot and
sweating stages ; external warmth gives no relief ; heat
and pain in the head ; buzzing in the ears ; redness of
the cheeks; thirst and anxiety during the hot stage;
constipation.
8 ague-cake— Alcohol.
Natrum mur, — Useful in intermittents of old standing
after the abuse of quinine. The special symptoms are,
violent pains in the head during the chilliness, and in-
creasing during the heat j prolonged chills, beginning
about 10 a.m.; dimness of sight and partial loss of
consciousness during the fever and during the time
between the attacks ; lips chapped or blistered, slight
fever continuing through the intermission.
Caps. — Chilliness preceded by thirst, followed by heat
without thirst ; chills, violent and long-continued,
beginning in the back between the shoulder-blades ;
intense burning both internally and externally ; accu-
mulation of phlegm in the mouth and throat ; slimy,
burning diarrhoea \ great intolerance of noise.
Eupatorium perfoliatum. — When the attacks are preceded
by violent pains in the bones and thirst, persisting
through the attack.
AGUE-CAKE. — Enlarged spleen left behind after ague.
Diagnosis. — Under the free ribs of the left side and
the upper part of the abdomen of that side, there is a
hard swelling, often the seat of pain. Ic is firm and
resistant to pressure, and gives a dull note when per-
cussed with the finger. It is formed by the enlarged
spleen. It may be distinguished from all other
tumours in this situation by the history of the patient.
It is always clearly traceable to former attacks of
ague, and generally to residence in malarial districts.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day until relieved.)
Natrum mur. — The most useful generally.
Ceanothus. — When there is pain in the spleen.
ALCOHOL HABIT.— The only cure for the habit of over-
indulgence in alcohol is total abstinence. The craving
for it may be relieved or removed by taking tincture
of Ci?ichona rubra, <£, gtt. xxx. in a wine-glass of
water three times a day. When the craving conies
ADMINISTRATION— ANEMIA. 9
on it may sometimes be relieved by eating a few
raisins.
Medicines. (Every hour or two until relieved.)
Nux v. For morning vomiting and tremulousness.
Ant. tart.— Tor chronic vomiting with white tongue.
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES.— Medicines are
administered in various forms— in pilules, which may be
taken dry, or, if the sweetness is objectionable, may be
dissolved in a little water ; in powders, which are best
taken dry on the tongue \ and in tinctures, which are
taken mixed in water. When no special directions
are given in this book, it is to be understood that the
medicines named may be taken in the form of pilules or
drops. One pilule or one drop is the usual dose. In
cases of acute pain and imminent danger, the dose
may be taken every hour or oftener. It is often con-
venient to mix sufficient quantity of tinctures to last
for one or two days In that case, eight drops may
be mixed in eight dessert-spoonfuls of water, and a
dessert-spoonful taken four times a day. The vessel
containing the medicine must be scrupulously clean,
must be kept covered with a saucer or piece of paper,
and away from the light and from strong odours. The
spoon should be of earthenware. The best time for
administering medicines (if there are no special reasons
for giving them otherwise) is from one hour to a
quarter of an hour before meals and at bedtime.
ANEMIA. — A condition of bloodlessness, depending on
many causes. Most frequent at puberty in young
girls, and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting,
with a greenish pallor, and known by the name of
" green sickness."
Diagnosis. — Anaemia is a disease which is obvious to the
first glance. The pallor of the face and absence of colour
from the lips explain themselves. But it is a mistake
io ANGER— ANKLES.
to regard the bloodlessness as the whole of the dis-
ease. It is commonly dependent on some deep con-
stitutional taint, as scrofula, or on chronic poisoning.
Arsenical wall-papers are responsible for a good deal
of anaemia, and also the excessive use of iron.
General Treatment. — Good food, warm clothing,
open-air exercise.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day until relief is
obtained. To be resumed after an interval if the im-
provement comes to an end.)
Uerrum. — When there is throbbing headache.
Nat. mur. — With constipation, chilliness, earthy com-
plexion.
Puis. — Chilly subjects. When the monthly periods are
scanty, or delayed.
Petrol. — When there is nausea or vomiting.
Argent, nit. — Sharp pain in the stomach and tenderness,
palpitation, faintness.
Calc. — Weariness j patients who have cold, clammy hands
and feet; pale, lymphatic subjects.
Sulph. — In sanguine subjects; cold hands and feet, hot
head ; constipation.
ANGER, EFFECTS OF.— Anger may bring about serious
bodily disorders. Women who are nursing children
should never give the breast soon after a fit of passion.
Quiet and seclusion are the best remedies for the fit.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief is obtained ; then
less often.)
Aeon. — When fever is the result.
Cham. — Where it takes the form of jaundice. Nursing
women should take a dose of Cham, after an angry fit.
Igfiat. — When the result is an attack of hysteria.
ANKLES. — Weak; Painful; or Swollen.
General Treatment. — This will depend on the cause
of the weakness. If it is rheumatism, the patient must
ANUS. ii
wear woollen clothing, and adopt all the precautions
advised under that heading. If it is due to general
debility, constitutional treatment will be required. In
case of simple local weakness, hot salt-water or sea-water
baths should be used, and proper exercises, which will
be prescribed by a medical man, to develop and
strengthen the parts that are weak.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Apis. — Simple swelling.
Calc. pJws. — Weakness of the ankles.
Calc. car/?. — For pale, fat children.
Silic. — Thin, ricketty children.
ANUS, ITCHING OF.— This troublesome affection is gene-
rally dependent on the presence of small worms in the
lower bowel ; sometimes it is due to piles ; and it
may also exist independently.
General Treatment. — When the itching is due to the
presence of thread worms, inject warm water, in which
eau de Cologne or turpentine (ten drops of either to
the half-pint) has been mixed. When the itching is
due to piles, apply Verbascum ointment (one tea-
spoonful of the (/> tincture to the ounce of vaseline or
pure lard). When the itching is simple, and does not
depend on another disease, sweet oil may be rubbed on
the part or injected ; injection of cold water or vinegar
and water may succeed, if the other means do not
suffice. Salt, sweetmeats, and pastry must be avoided.
Medicines. — (Morning and evening.)
Nux vom. — Itching, either internal or external j worse
when sitting, or after stimulating food or drinks ;
when due to coffee or strong liquors ; when accom-
panied with pain ; when due to piles, dry, or moist
and bleeding, and costiveness ; when due to worms.
Aco?i. — When due to small worms, and there is fever, this
12 ANXIETY— APOPLEXY.
may be given at night, and Ignatia in the morning, if
Nux is not sufficient
Ferrum. — May be given after the above, if insufficient.
China. — If there is diarrhoea.
Sulph.— When, besides itching, there is burning pain,
and soreness in and around the anus, with sensation of
heaviness and fulness.
ANXIETY, VEXATION, WORRY.— The effects of these
may be relieved by taking Ignatia every hour.
APOPLEXY. — Effusion of blood on the brain, causing loss
of power, or disorder of sensation of some part of the
body, usually one or other side. With this there may
be loss of consciousness, and, when the effusion is
very extensive, sudden death. Sometimes there are
premonitory symptoms, such as numbness and prick-
ing of the limbs, heaviness, drowsiness and vertigo,
faintness, vomiting, alteration of temper.
Diagnosis. — When an attack of apoplexy is slight, and
the patient does not lose consciousness, there will be
no difficulty. The patient suddenly feels he has no
longer power in one or more of his limbs. With this
loss of power there is generally altered sensation,
numbness, tingling, and sometimes pain. When the
attack is so severe as to completely prostrate the pa-
tient it may be mistaken for a fit of drunkenness, and
the alcoholic smell of the breath is not sufficient to
distinguish between the two, since a patient may be
seized with apoplexy soon after having taken alcohol
to drink. The best rule to make in doubtful cases is
to treat as if they were apoplexy until the effects of the
alcohol have had time to pass off. Cases of opium
poisoning are also difficult to distinguish from apo-
plexy. There will generally be a history of poison
having been taken ; there will be the smell of the drug,
and the pupils will be found contracted to a pin-point
APPARENT DEATH. 13
aperture. In epilepsy there is struggling as a rule, and
the history will help to decide in these cases. Persons
subject to epilepsy are usually well known to be so.
General Treatment. — The patient should be placed
in bed at once, with the head raised. The clothing
should be loosened. Plenty of fresh air should be ad-
mitted, and perfect quiet enjoined.
Medical Treatment. — This will not be undertaken
except by a medical man, whenever there is one to be
obtained. Medicines wiil be given according to the
symptoms, and especially the premonitory symptoms,
when they can be learned.
Nux v. 3. — Every hour. Giddiness, headache, fulness in
t he head.
Bell. 3. — Every hour. Full throbbing head, with flushed
face.
Opium, 3. — In an attack ; slow, full pulse; face red or pale.
Antim. Tart. 3. — If there has been vomiting before the
attack, or on recovery.
Arnica, 3. — "When symptoms of active congestion are
absent.
[N.B. The best mode of administering medicine in a
tit of apoplexy is by placing a few globules of the
remedy on the tongue. The effect of the remedy
should be watched, and the dose repeated when its
effect seems to be exhausted.]
APPARENT DEATH.— In all cases of sudden death, or
apparent sudden death, the greatest care should be
taken to ascertain which is the actual fact. The only
absolutely certain sign of death is the appearance of
putrefaction. So long as uncertainty exists efforts at
restoration should not be omitted. The greatest care
should be taken in handling the bodies, as any rough-
ness may speedily convert a case of apparent death
into one of actual death.
14 APPARENT DEATH.
Hunger. — Persons who faint from want of food may be
mistaken for dead. Warmth and careful feeding is the
remedy here, and the longer they have been without
food the less of it must be given at first. In the worst
cases injections of warm milk, frequently repeated,
must be administered when signs of returning life are
shown. A few drops of milk may be given to drink,
increasing in quantity by slow degrees. Toast- water
and broth may be given in addition, but no solid food
until after the patient has had a sleep, during which
care must be taken that he is covered up warm.
Accident. — When a patient is apparently dead after
an accident, he should be placed on a bed with the
greatest care, and a few globules of Arnica 3 put on
his tongue. There is nothing else to be done but
wait for the arrival of a doctor, to see if life is actually
extinct, or what is the extent of the injury.
Drowning, Suffocation, Hanging, Choking. — There
must be no delay in commencing the treatment in these
cases. In cases of choking first ascertain if there is
anything, such as a morsel of food, blocking the
larynx. If so, and it cannot be dislodged through the
mouth, tracheotomy must be resorted to at once, and
then the measures below adopted.
In cases of drowning :
" Instantly turn the patient downward, with a large,
firm roll of clothing under stomach and chest. Place
one of his arms under his head, so as to keep his mouth
off the ground. Press with all your weight, for four or
five seconds each time, upon the patient's back, so that
the water is forced out of the lungs and stomach,
and drains freely from the mouth.
"Then" — and this applies to all cases of suffocation
as well as drowning: —
" 2. Quickly turn patient's face upward, with a roll of
clothing under the back, just below the shoulder-blades,
APPARENT DEATH. 15
and make the head hang back as low as possible. Place
patient's hands above his head. Kneel with patient's
hips between your knees ; fix your elbows firmly against
your hips ; now — grasping lower part of patient's naked
chest — squeeze his two sides together, pressing gradually
forward with all your weight for about three seconds
until your mouth is nearly over mouth of patient ; then,
with a push, suddenly jerk yourself back. Rest about
three seconds ; then begin again, repeating these bel-
lows-blowing movements with perfect regularity, so that
foul air may be pressed out, and pure air drawn into
lungs, about eight or ten times a minute, for at least
an hour, or until the patient breathes naturally.
" Prevent crowding around patient ; plenty of fresh air
is important. Be careful not to interrupt the first short
natural breaths. If they be long apart, carefully continue
between them the bellows-blowing movements as before.
After breathing is regular, let the patient be rubbed dry,
wrapped in warm blankets, take hot spirits and water
in occasional doses, and then be left to rest and sleep."
— Dr. Benjamin Howard, quoted by Dr. Hering.
Cold. — Persons may be restored after having been
apparently dead from being frozen for some time.
The greatest care is required. The application of heat
is fatal. They must be placed in a cool room and
covered with snow, or put into a bed cooled with ice
and gradually thawed till all the limbs are pliable. Then
they are to be placed on a dry bed and rubbed with
cold flannel. If no signs of returning life give injection
of camphor — one drop of spirit of camphor to half a
tumbler of water, and, as soon as he can swallow, luke-
warm coffee without milk, a teaspoonful at a time. If
violent pains are experienced, Carbo veg. 6 should be
given every five or six hours, and if this does not suf-
fice, Arse?iicum 3. If there is heat, or stinging pains in
the head are lelt, Aconite, wine, or brandy may be given
16 APPETITE— ASTHMA.
in small quantities if the patient craves for it. He must
avoid going near a fire for a considerable time.
Lightning. — Put the patient in a current of cool fresh air,
and dash plenty of cold water on face, neck, and chest.
Give, as soon as he moves slightly, Nux vom. 3 every
half-hour, either on the tongue or by injection. For
blindness following lightning stroke, give Phosphorus.
Mental Emotions. — Violent mortification, Cham.; grief,
Ignatia ; fright and violent anger, Aeon.
APPETITE, LOST.— Loss of appetite is usually only one
symptom of a general disorder, and the whole bodily
condition must be considered in treating it. The use
of condiments to restore appetite is bad. When there
is a strong craving for salt things or acids, these
may be given until the craving is satisfied. Open-air
exercise is the best restorative, and the free use of
cold water. Water should be drunk very sparingly at
meals, but freely before and an hour or two after meals.
A glass of cold water first thing in the morning, and
last thing at night, is often efficient. See also TONICS.
Iodine. — Loss of appetite with emaciation, two drops half
an hour before meal times.
China. — Loss of appetite after debilitating diseases ; want
of appetite, which returns while eating.
Depraved Appetite. — Calc. c. — For indigestible things,
as chalk or coal.
Nat. Mur.—Yox salt things.
Puis. — For beer.
Hep. — For sour highly flavoured pungent things.
Increased Appetite. — Mine. — Canine hunger ; feels
faint if food is not taken every three or four hours.
ASCARIDES. See WORMS.
ASTHMA. — Paroxysms of difficult breathing, sometimes
associated with disease of the heart or chronic bron-
chitis, and sometimes purely spasmodic, without any
ASTHMA. 17
affection of the lungs or bronchi. Asthma is often
hereditary, and may attack persons of all ages, but
is more commonly met with in age than in youth.
The paroxysms come on suddenly, often in the night,
with a feeling of suffocation and desire to take a long
breath. All the muscles of breathing are brought into
play, the patient sits up, the head is thrown back, the
breathing is laboured, whistling and rattling sounds are
heard all over the chest, the patient asks for the doors
and windows to be thrown open. The face is pale or
livid ; eyes anxious or protruding ; forehead covered
with profuse cold sweat. An attack may be brought
on by several causes — odours, smoke, dust, irregularity
of diet, over-exertion, mental emotions, suppression of
accustomed discharges.
Diagnosis. — The diseases likely to be mistaken for
asthma are bronchitis > croup, and spasm of the larynx.
From bronchitis it is distinguished by the rapid dis-
appearance of the rattling and wheezing on the chest
after an attack; by the sudden appearance and dis-
appearance of the attack j and by the fact that the
breathing is slow, wheezy, and prolonged, whilst in
bronchitis it is hurried. In croup and laryngeal spasm
the age of the patient helps to distinguish, children
being more liable to these than to asthma j also the
character of the breathing j in croup and spasm of the
larynx the difficulty is in drawing in a breath, in
asthma it is in expelling it.
General Treatment. — Relief may be obtained during
an attack by plunging the hands into hot water ; by
bandaging the arms above the elbows, commencing
with the left. If the attack is induced by the smell of
ipecacuanha, camphor or sweet nitre should be given
to smell of; if by inhaling fumes of sulphur, Pulsatilla
is better. When attacks come on immediately after
a meal, chewing a little ginger will relieve. Patients
B
iS ATROPHY— BACK.
subject to asthma should wear woollen clothing, rub
the skin well with a coarse wet towel, and take warm
drinks. Those who have dusty occupations should
wear respirators.
Medicines. — (To be given in the attack every fifteen
minutes until symptoms improve, and then less fre-
quently. In the intervals two or three times a day.)
Ipecac. — Feeling of constriction about the chest ; panting,
rattling in windpipe, as if full of mucus, which seems
to be moving up and down. Patient gasps anxiously
for breath ; face pale, hands and feet cold.
Nux vom. — When the attack occurs early in the morn-
ing ; when induced by disorders of the stomach or in-
discretion in eating or drinking.
Lobelia. — With nausea and great depression of the heart.
Arsenicum. — Most violent attacks, especially those occur-
ring in consequence of suppressed catarrh, moaning,
groaning, uneasy tossing about ; in old people who are
attacked whilst walking, who can breathe but the dis-
tress continues.
Arnica. — When the attack is induced by exertion, speak-
ing, or even blowing the nose ; respiration laboured or
oppressed, with shooting pains in chest.
Sambucus. — Especially in children, attack beginning in
the night, sweat of throat.
Pulsatilla. — In blondes, and persons of mild disposition ;
breath seems to be impeded in lower part of chest,
drowsiness, free expectoration.
Sulphur. — In chronic cases ; after suppressed eruptions ;
patients who suffer from skin affections ; who have
flushes of heat and fainty spells ; sinking feeling at
the pit of the stomach, worse in the forenoon. The
asthma may be dry or accompanied with profuse
yellow expectoration.
ATROPHY. See EMACIATION.
BACK , PAINS — Pains in the back may be due to many
fiAD TASTE IN MOUTH— BATHS. 19
different causes. When they accompany constipation,
piles, disorders of menstruation, or other affections, the
primary ailment must be attended to. When the back
pains are the chief or sole affection, they are generally
due to rheumatism in some form affecting either the
muscles of the back or their sheaths, and generally
known by the name of Lumbago.
General Treatment. — Those who are subject to
lumbago should wear woollen clothing next the skin,
and be very careful about catching cold. A broad
band of new flannel worn across the loins is a good
preventive. For those who are exposed to the weather,
a sheet of brown paper stitched into the waistcoat
is as good a protection of the back as any. During
the attack, ironing the part with a flat iron through
flannel or brown paper is often an efficient remedy.
Medicines. — (To be given every half-hour until relief is
obtained, and then less often.)
Aeon. — From dry cold or a draught ; pain sharp or as if
sprained ; excited by touch ; the part sensitive.
Aet. r. — If with the pains there is restlessness and sleep-
lessness.
Arniea. — If caused by sprain or external injury.
Bryonia. — Severe pains compelling the patient to walk
stooping ; aggravated by the least motion.
JVux vom. — The part feels bruised, or as after fatigue,
turning in bed aggravates ; when accompanied by
constipation and irritable temper.
Rhus. — Pains like those oiNux v., but aggravated by rest.
Puis. — Similar pains to those of Nux r. in persons of
mild disposition.
Merc. — When the pains are much worse at night.
BAD TASTE IN MOUTH. See TASTE.
BATHS. — Baths are useful for several purposes— for clean-
liness, for warming or cooling the body, for stimu-
20 BATHS.
lating the skin, and for applying certain medicaments
externally.
Except where there is deficient reaction, or where the
skin is dry and poor in sebaceous secretion, all persons
are the better for the morning cold bath or cold sponge-
down. This should, of course,, be suspended during a
cold. Women should suspend the cold bath during the
period. They may, if they prefer, continue the sponge-
down, but they should substitute tepid water for cold.
Infants should be bathed in tepid water night and
morning, and older children, if strong, in cold water
every morning, great care being taken to rub them
thoroughly dry afterwards. Hot baths may be given
occasionally at night, but never cold baths.
Sea-salt may be added to the water of the morning bath
in such quantity as to make it like sea- water. This
increases the stimulating effects on the skin, and also
tends to prevent chilling afterwards.
The Hip bath is given tepid or cold. The patient must
sit in about twelve inches of water, and be warmly
covered, the feet especially being kept warm. When
given tepid the patient should sit in it from ten to
twenty minutes, when cold from two to ten minutes.
The tepid bath is useful for relieving congestion of
the pelvic organs ; the cold bath is tonic to them.
The Foot bath is usually given hot, and is useful in colds.
The cold foot bath is useful in determination of blood
to the head, but must never be given for longer than
one or two minutes.
Packs are a form of bath. A sheet, wrung out of hot or
cold water (as the case may be), is laid on blankets,
and the patient placed on the sheet. This is rapidly
wrapped round him and the blankets over it, other
blankets being placed over these to retain all the bodily
heat. Partial packs of any locality of the body (as the
throat) are given in the same way. A small piece of linen
BED-SORES— BILIOUSNESS. 21
dipped in water, wrung nearly dry, is placed on the part
and several folds of flannel over this.
Hot air baths are useful for inducing perspiration where
the skin does not act well in cases where it is more
than usually important that it should, as in kidney dis-
eases. A cradle is placed over the patient, and hot air
introduced from an apparatus made for the purpose.
Turkish baths have a similar action, and are preferable
when they can be obtained. They are useful in
many rheumatic conditions.
BED-SORES.— When bed-sores threaten bathe the part
with whisky.
In debilitated persons, who lie much in one position,
the tissues which cover prominent bones, as, for in-
stance, the hip-bones, are unable to bear the pressure,
and become irritable and inflamed, and, if care is not
taken, gangrenous. All patients suffering from long or
severe illnesses should be carefully watched by the
nurses who wash them, and the first signs of soreness
should be reported to the doctor in attendance. But
the nurse must herself begin the treatment. The
tender part must be relieved of pressure by means of
pillows or pads. Where this cannot be managed a
water-bed must be procured. The sore part must be
bathed with spirits of wine (or brandy or whisky) if the
skin is not broken. If the skin is broken it must be
dressed with Hypericum Oil.
BILIOUSNESS. — Some persons are subject to attacks of
heaviness and low spirits, loss of appetite, and vomiting
of bile every few weeks, or, it may be, at irregular times,
from indiscretion in diet or other causes, and they are
said to be " bilious," and these attacks are called "bilious
attacks." They are at times accompanied with severe
headache. Persons of this habit of body are usually
compelled to take a certain amount of exercise each
22 BITES AND STINGS.
day to keep off these attacks. The attacks are due to1
imperfect action of the liver, which, unless kept in order
by exercise and a proper mode of living, relieves itself
periodically by excessive secretion of bile and a "bilious
attack."
General Treatment. — Avoidance of rich food, or too
much of any kind of food. Regular modes of living,
open-air exercise, attention to the bowels, and the use
of whole-meal bread if they have a tendency to be con-
stipated.
Medicines.— In the old days a blue pill at night and a
black draught in the morning was the medicinal treat-
ment for these conditions, and it certainly had the
effect of stimulating the liver and relieving the bowels,
but it reduced the strength of the patient, and did
nothing towards preventing a second attack.
The Attack. — (Medicines to be given every half-hour.)
Nux vom. — Vomiting of bile, violent headache, con-
stipation.
Bry. — Sharp pain in liver, frontal headache, constipa-
tion, white stools.
Podofih. — Vomiting of bile, morning diarrhoea, green or
yellow stools.
The Constitution. — (Medicines to be given three or
four times a day.)
Nux vom. — In spare persons of sedentary habits, sub-
ject to constipation.
Bry. — In dark patients, subject to pains in the shoulder
and liver ; feeling of weight at the stomach after food
constipation with light stools.
Puis. — In blonde persons of mild disposition, with bowels
regular or loose.
BITES AND STINGS.— Of Bees and Wasps.— Apply pow-
der blue at once ; or, if that is not to be had, a freshly
BLACK EYE— BLEEDING OF THE NOSE. 23
sliced onion. Give internally Ledum one drop every
five minutes.
Of Other Insects. — Apply a strong solution of Am-
monia. (Sal volatile and ''smelling salts" are con-
venient forms.)
Of Snakes. — Cut the wound open at once and suck it.
If any strong disinfectant or caustic is at hand apply it
to the wound. The best is chloride of zinc (Sir W.
Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid.) Tie a handkerchief
tightly round the limb above the wound. If possible,
cause the patient to perspire, either by means of vapour
baths, or by wrapping in blankets, supplying hot bottles
or bricks. Administer stimulants freely, ammonia and
whisky being the best, with hot water, as much as the
patient can be made to swallow.
Of Rabid Animals. — The wound should be treated in
the same way as the bites of snakes. For after-treat-
ment, see HYDROPHOBIA.
BLACK EYE. — Effusion of blood into the tissues surround-
ing the eyeball, usually the result of a blow.
Treatment. — If the skin is unbroken apply Arnica lotion
(five drops of the strong tincture in half a teacupful
of water) j the eye to be bathed with this and a com-
press kept applied, and covered with a single fold of
flannel — not with oil-silk ; if the skin is broken, Arnica
must not be applied locally, but Hamamelis instead, in
the same way. Internally give Arnica 3 every half-hour.
BLEEDING OF THE NOSE.— This may occur in the
course of many diseases, and may benefit the patient.
If not excessive, it should not be interfered with.
When it occurs from no particular cause and lasts long
it should be treated.
General Treatment. — Raise the arm of the side from
which the bleeding occurs perpendicularly above the
the head, or apply cold to the spine.
24 BLINDNESS.
Medicines. — (These should be given every few minutes
till the bleeding begins to cease, and then less often.
For the tendency the same medicine may be given three
times a day for a few weeks.)
Arnica. — When due to injury.
Pulsatilla. — In women of mild disposition, or who have
scanty menstrual flow; when bleeding takes place
during a cold, or when it occurs in the afternoon, even-
ing, or before midnight.
Aconit.— Yox plethoric individuals ; bleeding from being
over-heated ; from drinking wine.
China. — In debilitated persons.
Mercurius. — Bleeding in the night, blood coagulating in
the nostrils. Bleeding accompanied by fever in the
night.
BLINDNESS. — Loss of sight depends on many causes. It
may be sudden and temporary, or it may be perma-
nent. Of course a medical man will be consulted to
decide this. If it is accompanied by great pain and
hardness of the eyeball (Glaucoma) immediate treatment
by operation is demanded. Blindness may occur apart
from any real change in the eyes, and in such cases, as
well as in some where there is actual change, medicines
may be very efficacious. They should be given fre-
quently (every hour) until benefit is perceived, then
less often.
Aco7iit. — Sudden temporary attacks. (Mercurius 6, if
the attacks return frequently.)
Bellado7ina. — Night-blindness ; the patient can see nothing
after twilight, particularly if something red or green
appears before the eyes, or a coloured circle round the
candle.
Lycopodium. — Night-blindness, when there are black spots
floating before the eyes,
BLOOD TO THE HEAD. 25
Sulphur. — Day-blindness j when the patient can only see
well in the evening.
Nux vom. — Blindness due to excessive smoking.
BLOOD TO THE HEAD.— Beating of the arteries of the
neck and temples ; feeling of fulness in the head ;
giddiness. This condition, if persistent, may be dan-
gerous. It is due to a dilatation of the blood-vessels
of the head brought about by some influence on the
nerves which control the vessels, and gives the sensation
as if all the blood in the body were streaming up into the
head and face. It may be brought on by excitement, heat
of the sun, shocks, emotions, or dissipated habits.
General Treatment. — Avoid excesses of all kinds,
especially excitement or alcoholic drinks and coffee.
Short cold foot-baths ; free use of cold water externally
and internally.
Medicines. — (To be given three or four times a day, and
more frequently in an attack.)
Aconite. — Strong pulsations of blood-vessels, head above
the eye feels like bursting ; worse when stooping and
coughing ; giddiness, especially when stooping or
walking in the sun ; disturbance of vision ; fainting ;
in children teething ; girls at puberty ; or from catching
cold during the period.
Glonoin. — Coming on suddenly, brain feeling as if ex-
panding ; beating in the head and down to the neck
at every step.
Nux vom. — Patient irritable or passionate j or if he has
drunk much ardent spirits ; after anger.
Belladonna. — Severe jerking, burning, shooting pains on
one side of the head, or violent pressure on forehead
at every step or motion, increased by noise and light.
Coffea. — From excess of joy, or accompanied by great
excitement.
Opium. — After fright,
26 BLOOD-POISONING.
Chamomilla. — From vexation.
Ignatia. — After suppressed vexation.
Arnica. — After a blow or fall on the head.
China. — When it arises from great debility.
Dulcamara. — If it returns after each time taking cold.
Rhus. — After strain.
Sulphur. — If it returns frequently.
BLOOD-POISONING.— This is a term which includes
many different conditions. All the infectious fevers
are, in one sense, diseases of blood-poisoning, the
poison in each case being specific — that is, pecu-
liar to the disease it produces. Again, the condition
known as "pyaemia" is a blood-poisoning disease.
This is brought about by the absorption of putrid
matter into the blood from unhealthy abscesses and
wounds, and results in the formation of abscesses in
joints and other parts of the body, and is almost inva-
riably fatal. Differing from this, though often con-
founded with it under the same name, is " septicaemia,"
resulting from the absorption of the products of
decomposition (" septic material ") into the blood and
producing fever. Diphtheria is also a blood-poisoning
disease, and may arise directly from the poisonous
emanations of bad drainage.
The two conditions usually referred to when blood-
poisoning is mentioned are pyaemia and septicaemia.
These are grave conditions, and must always be treated
by a medical man.
General Treatment. — The patient must be placed in
the best possible hygienic conditions, with abundance
of pure air and pure water. The diet must be of the
lightest and most nourishing possible, and be given
frequently. Stimulants will be administered as the
physician directs, but their place can often be taken
with advantage by homoeopathic medicines.
BLOOD-SPITTING. 27
Medicines. — (To be given frequently, every hour or two.)
Baptisia. — Fever of typhoid type j broad, coated tongue
loose bowels, formation of abscesses.
Arsenicum. — Fever of typhoid type, red tongue, thirst,
anxiety.
BLOOD - SPITTING (HAEMORRHAGE FROM THE
LUNGS— HEMOPTYSIS).— It is always an alarming
thing to see blood in the phlegm one spits, but it is not
always dangerous. The blood may come from the
nose, or the throat, or the larger bronchial tubes,
in all which cases it is unaccompanied with danger;
and when it comes from the lungs it is not always
dangerous, and should never be allowed to cause
panic. When it comes from the chest it is usually
accompanied with a sensation as if coming from a
considerable depth, and there is a taste of blood in
the mouth before it comes up. There is often a burn-
ing pain in the chest at the part from which the blood
comes. When the blood comes up in great quantities
the danger is not so great as is usually supposed.
Attacks are sometimes immediately fatal, but in these
cases the disease is more often due to aneurism (disease
of blood-vessels) than to disease of the lungs.
General Treatment. — Avoid all possible exertion of
the lungs, even talking. Let the patient be per-
fectly quiet, propped up with pillows to support the
head and chest. The room must be kept cool and
well aired. No warm drinks or stimulants must be
given for several days. Light, easily digestible food
must be given, and mucilaginous drinks. All kinds of
excitement must be avoided, and sleeping during the
day, especially before meals, is an advantage.
Whilst the bleeding lasts, cloths, dipped in cold water,
may be applied to the lower part of the abdomen.
Small pieces of ice may be given to suck.
28 BLOOD-VOMITING.
Medicines. — (To be given in an attack every quarter of
an hour until improvement sets in.)
Aconit. — Slightest attempt to clear the throat brings up
blood ; chest seems full with burning sensation \ pal-
pitation j agitation ; uneasiness j worse lying down ;
anxious, pale countenance.
Ipecac. — After Aconite ; constant taste of blood remaining ;
short cough. Discharge of mucus mixed with blood,
nausea and weakness.
Arsenicum. — Palpitation and agitation increasing after
Aconite, disturbing sleep and driving patient out of
bed ; dry burning heat.
Arnica. — Blood clotted ; black and raised easily, accom-
panied by asthma, shooting pains, and burning con-
traction of the chest. After injury.
BLOOD-VOMITING (HEMORRHAGE FROM THE
STOMACH-KEMATEMESIS).— Bleeding from the
stomach is generally due to ulceration. It is some-
times mistaken for bleeding from the lungs, but the
fact of it having been brought up by vomiting — blood
from the lungs coming up with a cough — and that
it is pure blood and unmixed with phlegm or froth
shows pretty clearly its source ; and if there is absence
of any history of recent lung disease, and, on the
other hand, if there has been indigestion and pain
at the stomach, the diagnosis is quite clear. Of course
the doctor will be summoned at once ; but something
may be done before he comes.
General Treatment. — Absolute rest. Avoidance of
all solid food. Ice to suck. Iced drinks, as milk
and soda water.
Medicines. — (To be given every ten minutes.)
Ipecac. — If the blood is very dark.
Hama?n. — If there is not speedy improvement under Ipec,
Arnica. — If Hamanielis fails.
BOIL— BONE. 29
BOIL. — Inflammation of the skin, and tissues under the
skin, forming hard, painful swelling and suppuration,
ending in the expulsion of a '; core," which is really a
piece of dead tissue. Some people have a constitu-
tional tendency to boils j they often follow acute
illnesses.
General Treatment.— Attention to the general health ;
avoidance of alcoholic drinks, abstemiousness in
eating, open-air exercise. During the maturing
period hot linseed poultices should be applied ; after-
wards, Calendula lotion and compresses.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Belladonna. — When just beginning to form.
Hepar.— When suppuration is too slow and scanty.
Mercurius. — If the suppuration is profuse and the swell-
ing remains.
Arnica. — To prevent the recurrence. (Three times a day
for several weeks.)
Sidph. — A few doses after the boil is healed. A course
of Sulphur should be given when they recur fre-
quently.
BONE. — Diseases of bone are too serious to be treated
domestically where good medical advice is to be had.
Many limbs condemned by allopathic surgeons have
been saved by homoeopathy.
Inflammation of bone, or rather of the membranes
which cover the bone (periosteum), if not checked
result in death of the bone (necrosis).
Ulceration of bone (caries) is a slower process.
General Treatment. — The strength of the patient
must be maintained by strengthening diet. In caries
the wound should be bathed with a strong infusion of
hay, used as a lotion and as a compress.
Medicines.
Mezereum. — For inflammation (every hour).
3© BOWELS.
Silica. — For ulceration (every two hours).
Phosphorus. — If Silica fails.
BOWELS, INFLAMMATION OF.— This is really inflam-
mation of the membrane {peritoneum) which forms the
outer coat of the bowels and lines the abdominal cavity,
and it is called in medical language peritonitis. This is
a painful and dangerous disease. The symptoms are
burning and tearing pains in some part of the abdo-
men, and great tenderness on pressure and on every
motion. The body is sometimes tense and swollen.
There is often vomiting and much constipation. There
is fever, sometimes to a high degree, but sometimes
the temperature is little above the normal. The face
is sunken, anxious-looking, and grey.
Diagnosis. — Inflammation of the bowels may be acute or
chronic. The chief diseases which may be mistaken
for acute inflammation are an attack of colic, the passing
of gall stones, pains connected with the womb, and
typhoid fever. The history of the case will help to decide.
As in most inflammations, there is generally a chill or a
wetting to account for the symptoms ; colic can mostly
be traced to indigestible food, and there is no fever ;
also the symptoms in colic are generally relieved by pres-
sure, whereas in inflammation there is great sensitive-
ness to touch or pressure. The passing of gall-stones
is attended with excessive pain, usually confined to a
small area ; the symptoms come suddenly without
warning, and are attended with no previous symptoms.
Pains connected with the womb generally come on
about the monthly periods. It is often difficult at first
to distinguish inflammation from typhoid fever, but the
progress of the case will soon show. In typhoid there
is less pain than in inflammation, more fever, and more
head symptoms.
Chronic inflammation of the bowels is usually a conse-
BOWELS. 31
quence of an acute attack, and with this history is not
likely to be confounded with any other disease.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept per-
fectly quiet ; no emetics or purgatives must on any
account be given. The constipation will right itself
when the inflammation is gone. All solid food must
be interdicted. Milk, beef-tea, gruel, and farinaceous
foods only must be given. Locally, light linseed poul-
tices should be applied, and if the body is distended
with gas a few drops of turpentine should be sprinkled
on them.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour or every hour until there
is decided relief.)
Aconit. — Restlessness, anxiety, pain, fear of death.
Bryon. — If the pains persist or increase in spite of Aeon.,
and are worse by every movement ; much fever.
Merc. cor. — Griping, cutting pains, swelling, much tender-
ness.
Arsen. — Thirst, restlessness, terrible anxiety, burning
pains, diarrhcea, bloody stools without relief to pain j
pain in region of right groin.
BOWELS, PAINS IN.— Sometimes the bowels are the seat
of pain when there is no inflammation present. The pain
may be due to various causes, as cold, indiscretions in
diet, or accumulation of wind.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept per-
fectly quiet, and the lightest food given, as thin gruel
or barley-water, until the pain is gone, and hot, dry
flannels applied to the abdomen.
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
Aeon. — When the pain has been caused by a chill.
Cham. — Violent tearing, twisting pains, the patient can-
not be quiet. It seems as if there was a large ball in
the side.
Puis. — From disordered stomach after eating pork or rich
32 BRAIN.
pastry ; worse afternoon, evening, or night ; wind rolls
about.
Nux vom. — From undigested food, with constipation.
BRAIN, CONCUSSION OF.— The term' 'concussion of the
brain" means simply "a shock to the brain," but when
the shock is over there is also a certain amount of
bruising or rupture of blood-vessels. Concussion may
be caused by a blow or fall on the head, or on any
other part of the body, when the shock is transmitted.
Falls in the sitting position often cause concussion of
the brain, the shock being transmitted through the
spinal column.
The symptoms vary according to the intensity of the
shock. When not very severe there is giddiness, stupe-
faction, temporary loss of memory, singing in the ears.
When severe, insensibility, stupor, feeble and irregular
pulse, vomiting, cold extremities. In such cases it is
sometimes impossible to distinguish between simple
concussion and fracture of the skull.
Diagnosis. — The history of the fall or blow will serve to
distinguish between concussion and some states of in-
sensibility, such as apoplexy, for which it might be
mistaken.
General Treatment. — Keep the patient very quiet,
and let him lie on the side least injured. He will
usually find the best position for his head himself. If
the injury is internal, without any scalp wound, keep
his head in an elevated position, and place a small
round pillow at the nape of his neck. The diet must be
unstimulating ; plenty of cold water being administered.
Cloths dipped in cold water, to which a few drops of
the strong tincture of Arnica have been added, should be
applied to the head, Hypericum being substituted for
Arnica if the skin is broken.
Medicines. — {Arnica is the medicine in concussion. It
BRAIN FAG. 33
should be given every fifteen minutes until signs of re-
action set in, and then less often.
Belladonna. — If the face flushes, and signs of inflammation
set in.
BRAIN FAG. — Fatigue of the brain is a common com-
plaint in these days of competition, worry, and excite-
ment. But it is less often the actual fatigue of the
brain that is at fault, than the measures that are taken to
prevent it. The brain will stand a great deal of fatigue
and worry without resenting it in any other way than
by refusing to do more than a certain amount of work,
and compelling the patient to take the natural remedy
— sleep. But if the patient endeavours to calm his
brain by smoking, or to drown his worries in alcohol, or
to get more work out of his brain by taking tea or
coffee to keep himself awake, then, of course, he must
pay the price. He soon finds, if he will not sleep when
he can, that he can no longer sleep when he would.
He next appeals to opiates, and very soon he can get
no sleep without them. A nervous irritable state is
the result, and inability to get any work out of the brain
at all. A forced rest of three months is the means
now prescribed by the physician.
General Treatment. — The patient must be warned
against the danger of relying on artificial substitutes
for rest and sleep, and, if he lack the necessary amount
of self-control, the best thing he can do is to go to
some hydropathic institution, where the regimen is
strict and the society and surroundings cheerful, and
stay there until he has got himself into better habits.
He must remember that the treatment is not to be
abandoned on his leaving the institution, but that
he must carry out the same rules of living, as far
as possible, on returning to active life. In very bad
cases it may be necessary to send the patient to travel
c
34 BRAIN FEVER.
abroad, or on a voyage to Australia. When there are
in addition to nervous symptoms great wasting and
inability to take food, the "Weir Mitchell" treatment
of combined massage and feeding is the best.
Medicines. — (To be given every two or three hours.)
Phos. — Nervous prostration.
Nux vom. — Where reliance has been placed on tobacco
or alcohol.
Ignat. — Nervousness or sleeplessness.
Aconit. — Feverish restlessness, sleepless tossing about
at night.
BRAIN FEVER. — This is a popular name for many
different affections. Properly speaking it should be
confined to acute mental derangement. There is deli-
rium, tremor, wasting, refusal of food, attempt to injure
himself or others, sometimes stripping naked. With
all this excitement there is absence of any increase ot
temperature. This distinguishes it from ordinary fever
with delirium. Of course this cannot be dealt with in
a work on domestic medicine. Scarlet fever with
violent brain symptoms is sometimes called " brain
fever," but more correctly it is given to typhus fever,
in which the brain symptoms are always severe. The
term is also applied to inflammation of the brain or its
covering membranes {meninges as they are called, and
meningitis as the disease is called).
Meningitis is more common in children than in
adults. The children of consumptive parents are
especially liable to it. It is a very fatal disease, and
when recovery does take place, it is long before the
patient can exert his brain again.
General Treatment. — Most vigilant nursing, and
feeding with small quantities of the most nourishing
food. It will sometimes be necessary to shave the head
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
BREASTS. 35
Bell. — Flushed face, wild delirium, bright eyes.
Bryon. — Fever more of typhoid type, low delirium,
head drawn back.
BREASTS. — Ignorant nurses often cause irreparable damage
to the breasts of female children by what they call
" breaking the nipple strings," which is, really, destroy-
ing the natural ducts which are destined to carry the
milk from the breast gland to the nipple. This is
a fruitful source of breast abscesses in later life. The
pressure of stays also produces ill effects.
If proper attention is paid to the breast for some
time before confinement much subsequent trouble may
be prevented. The development of the breast during
pregnancy is frequently accompanied by much pain
and soreness. The nipples are apt to become excori-
ated, cracked, and scaly.
Care of the Breasts. — For several weeks before delivery
the entire breast and chest should be bathed with cold
water, and afterwards well dried and rubbed with warm
towels. If there is tenderness or excoriation bathe
twice a day with spirit (brandy or whisky) and water.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Admit. — Inflammation of nipples, aching or sharp pains
shooting into the breast.
Mercurius. — Swelling and burning of nipples.
Hepar. — Cracks.
Sulph. — Itching and eruptions.
BREASTS AFTER DELIVERY.— The child should be put
to the breast .soon after delivery, even if there is no
milk. The secretion will be hastened by it, and the
liability to breast troubles will be diminished.
BREAST-ABSCESS.— The breasts are liable to become
inflamed and " gather " during the whole period of
nursing. Injury, cold, sudden weaning may set up
inflammation. The best preventive is to keep the
36 BREASTS.
breast well drawn, either by natural means or artificially,
by means of nipple-glasses.
General Treatment. — When suppuration does occur
the breast must be supported with light bandages and
protected from all irritation. Light linseed poultices
should be applied at intervals to relieve pain. When
they fail to do this they should not be continued. The
breast should be drawn with nipple-glasses if any milk
can be induced to flow.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief is obtained.)
Bryonia. — At the commencement, breasts swollen, hard,
and feel heavy, shooting pains, dry skin, thirst, fever.
Bel/ad. — Where the skin is red like erysipelas, swelling,
hardness, shooting and tearing pains.
Mercur. — Hardness remains after inflammatory symptoms
have subsided (Every three hours.)
Hepar. — When suppuration has already commenced
indicated by throbbing and chills.
Silic. — Fetid watery discharge.
BREASTS, PAIN IN.— The breasts are often the seat
of pain, unconnected with inflammation or pregnancy.
This is of a neuralgic character.
Medicines. — (Every three hours).
Act. r. — In young girls.
Puis. — Associated with scanty menses.
Sore Nipples. — During the nursing period, especially if
no care has been taken with the breasts before confine-
ment, the nipples are apt to become sore, and then they
are difficult to treat on account of the repeated irritation
by the child's sucking.
General Treatment. — When there is a tendency to
soreness, bathe with a solution of Arnica (ten drops to
half-tumbler of water), washing with cold water after
each time the child has taken the breast.
Medicines. — (Every three hours.)
BREATH— BRONCHITIS. 37
Arnica. — When they threaten to become sore.
Sulph. — Nipples sore and chapped ; deep fissures toward
the base, which bleed and burn like fire.
iVux vom. — Nipples sore, with painful excoriation of
parts around nipple.
BREATH, OFFENSIVE.— Offensiveness of breath may
arise from many causes, as disordered stomach and de-
cayed or improperly cleaned teeth, ulcer of the mouth,
unhealthy gums, sore throat, secretion of the tonsils,
discharge from the nose. It may also be a symptom
in itself apart from any of the above affections.
General Treatment. — This will depend on the cause.
When due to decayed teeth, unhealthy gums, and the
like, these must be seen to. (See under TEETH,
INDIGESTION, MOUTH, THROAT, OZJENA.)
Wash the mouth out carefully after every meal, and
cleanse the teeth. The use of a little Condy's Fluid
in the water will be beneficial temporarily (one or
two drops in a tumbler of water). The smell of garlic
or onions is best counteracted by eating parsley.
Medicines. — (Four times a day.)
Am. — In general.
Nux v. — If only perceived in the morning.
Puis. — Morning and night.
Cham. — After dinner only.
Cepa. — Like onions.
Card. veg. — Putrid.
BREATH, SHORT. See under ASTHMA and CROUP.
BRONCHITIS.— The mucous membrane which lines the
air passages, from the Adam's apple {larynx) and wind-
pipe {trachea) to the finest bronchial tubes, is liable to
be inflamed in any part. When a cold descends from
the head down the windpipe to the bronchial tubes,
then it becomes bronchitis, and this is the usual way
in which bronchitis is set up. It may be set up, how-
38 BRONCHITIS.
ever, directly, without there being at first a cold in the
head. One attack predisposes to others, and a chronic
condition of congestion of the mucous membrane may
be set up. This is chronic bronchitis.
The symptoms of acute bronchitis are tightness across
the chest, frequent short cough, at first dry, then result-
ing in expectoration of scanty, frothy, or viscid mucus,
at first clear, then yellow and frothy, becoming thick
and white. The phlegm may be streaked with blood.
Sometimes bronchitis is accompanied with much
fever \ sometimes there is little. According to the ex-
tent of it, and the bronchial tubes affected, the difficulty
of breathing will vary. If the smaller tubes are
attacked, the shortness of breath will be intense.
This is the form most to be dreaded in children. It is
a frequent complication of measles and whooping-
cough. As the disease improves, the breathing be-
comes easier and the phlegm thicker.
Diagnosis. — Bronchitis must be distinguished from in-
flammation of the lungs (pneumonia), from pleurisy, and
from asthma. Bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy are
all characterized by cough following a chill. In bronchitis
there is usually more distress of the breathing, and less
pain and fever than in the other two. In the early
stages of bronchitis on putting the ear to the chest
there is wheezing heard almost all over, and afterwards
a loose rattling sound ; in pneumonia there is over the
inflamed part a dry tubular sawing sound — as if some
one were blowing across the end of a pipe, with very
fine crackling (crepitation) like the sound made by
rubbing a few hairs between thumb and finger close to
the ear ; in pleurisy there is a creaking, rubbing sound.
On tapping the chest there is no loss of resonance in
bronchitis ; in the other two there is dulness. In
bronchitis there is at first no expectoration, then
yellowish mucus is brought up, and finally thick whitish
BRONCHITIS. 39
mucus. In pleurisy there is no expectoration ; in
pneumonia there is at first rusty and afterwards clear
transparent expectoration. Asthma is distinguished
from bronchitis by the suddenness and transient nature
of the attacks.
Many coughs are due to irritation affecting the wind-
pipe, and not extending so far as the bronchial tubes.
These are often called bronchitic, but on listening to
the chest there are no abnormal sounds, and the
irritation is usually referred to the throat-pit.
Chronic bronchitis is not to be easily mistaken for any-
thing else, and the persistent loose cough with copious
yellowish expectoration, and the history of repeated
acute attacks, make it clear enough.
General Treatment. — Care must be taken to protect
the patient from chills and draughts ; at the same time,
the apartment must be well supplied with fresh air.
Light, easily digestible nourishment must be given
frequently. \i the breathing is laboured, the air of
the room may be softened by keeping a kettle on the
tire. Kettles are made on purpose, with long spouts,
which may be made to come close up to the patient's
bed if necessary. Poultices are not of much value in
bronchitis, but an occasional linseed poultice is often
useful. In chronic bronchitis, which usually recurs in
those subject to it every winter, wearing woollen cloth-
ing and avoiding exposure to chills are necessary pre-
cautions. It is often desirable to spend the winter abroad.
Medicines. — (Every hour, or less often, according to
urgency of symptoms.)
Aconite.— Skin hot and dry, pulse hard, frequent, quick
breathing, short, dry, frequent cough, as if excited by
tickling in throat or chest, thirst, restless tossing about.
Antim. tart. — Much rattling of phlegm ; patient inclined to
slumber with eyes half open ; cries from being touched,
but will be carried about. Face bluish, pale, and puffy.
40 BRUISES— BUNION.
Bell. — Severe headache aggravated by coughing, op-
pression of chest and constriction as if bound, with
rattling in the chest ; dry, fatiguing cough, worse at
night ; child cries when coughing.
Bry. — Cough dry or with viscid mucus, sometimes
tinged with blood, mouth dry ; stitches in chest hinder
breathing.
Phos. — Respiration continuing oppressive ; dry cough,
excited by tickling in throat or chest, aggravated by
talking or laughing, or going into open air.
Merc. — When accompanied by excessive perspiration,
which does not relieve. Tongue coated thick yellow.
Patient cannot endure either hot or cold air.
Jpec. — Mucus rattling in chest, almost suffocating patient
on coughing ; coughing in fits ; shortness of breath,
perspiration on forehead. See also under COUGH.
BRUISES. — Injuries from external violence, causing rup-
ture of small blood-vessels and escape of blood into
the tissues, and giving rise to discoloration.
General Treatment. — There is nothing better for
bruises than the internal and external use of Arnica. A
lotion should be made of the strong tincture of Arnica,
in the proportion of ten drops to the half- tumbler
of water. Linen cloth should be dipped in this,
and one or two folds of it laid on the bruise, and over
this a piece of flannel should be laid. Oil-silk
should not be used, as this tends sometimes to set up
arnica erysipelas. Should the bone have been bruised,
Ruta must be substituted for Arnica.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Arnica. — In almost all cases.
Ruta. — Where the bones are injured.
Hepar. Where abscess follows.
BUNION. — Enlargement and inflammation of the synovial
BURNS AND SCALDS. 41
sac over the root of the great toe, and, more rarely, the
outer side of the little toe. This is generally due to
pressure; or it may be due to rheumatism, and then
it is not a true bunion. The joint is red, and generally
tender, the tissues over the joint being greatly thickened
and hard.
General Treatment. — When painful and inflamed, a
compress, moistened with a liniment composed of
equal parts of Verat. v. <p, spirits of wine, and distilled
water, to be kept applied. Boots must be made to
keep off all pressure from the part.
Medicines. — (Four times a day.)
Si lie. — For true bunion.
Rhus. — For rheumatic bunion.
BURNS AND SCALDS.— Scalds are generally less severe
and less dangerous than burns, since scalding water
cannot be above a certain temperature, which is below
that of burning solids. But the danger of a burn or
scald depends more on the locality and extent than on
the intensity of the burn. A burn or scald may be
immediately fatal, causing death by shock, or it may
cause intense inflammation, especially inflammation of
the kidneys, and bronchitis.
General Treatment. — The thing to avoid in all cases
of burn is the application of cold water. The less the
patient is interfered with the better. Unbroken
blisters should be left unbroken. Carron oil (equal
parts of lime-water and linseed oil) is the best applica-
tion ; lint saturated with it should be laid gently on,
and kept applied by light bandages. If this is not
procurable at once, spread on the wound ordinary
cooking soda and cover with a wet cloth ; or make a
thick salve with white castile soap, scraped fine, and
dissolved in lukewarm water, and spread on lint. For
scalds of the mouth from taking hot liquids, or the
42 CATARRH— CANCER.
bursting of a roasted chestnut, dissolve ten drops of
Cantharis 3X in half a tumbler of water, and hold a
little in the mouth every few minutes. If diarrhoea
results it should not be interfered with.
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
Cantharis. — In almost all cases, especially where there is
inflammation of the kidneys.
Antim. tart. — When bronchitis sets in.
Aconite. — Where there is much fever.
CATARRH. See COLD.
CANCER. — Cancer is a new growth, or tumour, the essential
property of which is, to increase indefinitely, to recur
after removal, and to infect other parts of the body
remote from the locality in which it is found. This is
what is called " malignant," — a " benign" tumour
being one which is purely local, does not return after
excision, and does not infect other parts. Cancers, or
malignant tumours, are of many different kinds, and
have different appearances and characteristics accord-
ing to the different tissues from which they take their
rise ; and there is no tissue of the body from which
they may not arise.
The Treatment of cancer is only to be undertaken by a
medical man. The amount of suffering caused by
cancers is very variable ; some cause hardly any, and
others give rise to intense sufferings. Operation never
cures cancer, and almost invariably makes it worse.
The growth is sure to return in an aggravated form,
and is then much more difficult to deal with by medi-
cines. It may be laid down as a fundamental rule that
the less the new growth is interfered with the better for
the patient.
Cures of cancer have been effected by medicines, and
this possibility must never be lost sight of. Arse?iic, Hy-
drastis, Coniuw, Lachesis, Cundurango, Silica, Sulphur,
CARBUNCLE. 43
and (in cancer of the tongue) the Cyanide of Potassium
(Kali cyanicum) have all been accredited with cures.
But the choice of the remedy will be decided by the
symptoms of each patient.
Medicines. — (Two or three doses daily, or oftener,
according to the urgency of symptoms.)
Arsen. — Epithelial cancer. Burning pains ; pains worse
at night, and especially at 3 a.m. j aggravated by cold,
relief from warmth; anxiety, restlessness, thirst.
Cundurango. — Cancer of breast. Cracks in the corners of
the mouth.
Conium. — Cancer of breast. Scrofulous subjects; women
who have scanty menses.
Kali cyanicum. — Cancer of the tongue.
Lachesis. — Dirty ulceration, black clots at the bottom of
the ulcer like charred straw, blue look of the parts;
patient is intolerant of anything tight about her.
Silica. —In subjects who are sensitive to least draught of
air.
Sulphur. —Where the well-known indications for Sulph.
are present — sinking sensation in the forenoon, cold
feet, hot head, hot fainty spells, symptoms worse in bed
at night. Sulph. is valuable as an intercurrent remedy.
CARBUNCLE. — A circumscribed inflammation of the tissue
under the skin, leading to death of part of the tissue
and of the skin over it. The disease is a constitu-
tional one, and generally comes from a depressed state
of health. It is usually situated on the back of the
neck or trunk, but sometimes on other parts, and even
on the face. There is a large hard swelling, ex-
tremely painful, and this is often accompanied by a
low fever of the typhoid type.
Diagnosis. — A carbuncle is an exaggerated boil, from
which it is distinguished chiefly by its large size and
the gravity of the accompanying symptoms.
44 CATARACT— CHANGE OF LIFE.
General Treatment. — The strength of the patient
must be kept up, and if the constitutional symptoms
are not severe, he need not be confined to the room
or even to the house. Linseed poultices should be
applied until suppuration has taken place, and the
Calendula lotion (thirty drops to the ounce") kept
applied and frequently changed. When healing is
commencing, Boracic acid ointment (powdered Boracic
acid, one drachm to the ounce of vaseline) should be
used instead.
Medicines.— (Every hour at first.)
Arnica. — At the beginning.
Nux v. — When occurring in drunkards.
Arsen. — Burning pain, worse at night, restlessness, irri-
tability, weakness, thirst ; typhoid state.
Carl?, veg. — Dark appearance of carbuncle ; general low
state.
Silica. — After it has begun to discharge.
CATARACT.— A disease of the anterior lens of the eye or
its capsule, resulting in opacity and blindness. It is
easily recognized by the greyish white appearance of
the pupil. When the disease has advanced to a cer-
tain stage, the only remedy is removal of the lens.
In the earlier stages it is amenable to the action of
medicines, among which Silica, Sulphur, Calcarea are
the most useful.
CHANGE OF LIFE. When the period of child-bearing
comes to an end, the organism of women undergoes
certain changes, principally manifested in the circula-
tory and nervous systems. The blood supply has to be
adjusted to altered conditions, the heart and blood-
vessels are affected, and the result is felt by the patient
in flushes of heat, followed at times by perspiration and
chills. Along with these symptoms are heightened sus-
ceptibility of the nervous system to ordinary influences,
CHAPPED HANDS. 45
and also the emotional balance is very unstable for tl it-
time. This condition lasts indefinitely. Some women
are scarcely conscious of any difference, and others suffer
for years. Men are not always exempt from climacteric
sufferings, though in them they are the exception rather
than the rule. Palpitation, giddiness, and rush of blood
to the head are the chief symptoms they experience.
General Treatment. — Avoidance of excitement of all
kinds ; light, unstimulating diet ; no alcoholic drinks
except a little light wine. The way in which this
period is got through depends very much on the
patient. She must make up her mind to endure a
certain amount of inconvenience and unwonted ner-
vous sensations, and must beware of flying to stimu-
lants or narcotics for relief. These only make the con-
dition worse, and often destroy the patient. The
treatment is thus largely moral.
Medicines. — (Every -two or three hours.)
Ignat. — Nervousness, numbness in various parts, sink-
ing sensation, flushings, constipation, sensation as of
a ball in the throat.
Act. rac. — Restlessness, sleeplessness, "sinking" sensa-
tion, unhappy state of mind.
Lack. —Flushings excessive ; symptoms worse on waking
from sleep ; external pressure intolerable ; melancho-
lic ; irritable.
Sulph. — Sinking sensation at n a.m. : flushings, hotfainty
spells, hot head and cold feet.
CHAPPED HANDS.— The best treatment for chapped
hands is to rub them well every night with glycerine
or glycerine jelly. More pleasant, but not always so
effective, is " Vaseline Cold Cream." Large painful
cracks should be painted with Friar's balsam (com-
pound tincture of benzoin).
4^> CHEST— CHILBLAINS.
Medicines.
Petrol. — Night and morning, if the chaps are very in-
tractable.
CHEST, AFFECTIONS OF. See BRONCHITIS, LUNGS,
INFLAMMATION OF.
CHICKEN-POX. — Chicken-pox is an infectious disease
resembling small-pox, but in no way allied to it. The
symptoms appear about thirteen days after exposure to
infection, and begin with mild fever, followed in a
day by the appearance of vesicles or blisters. They
are distinguished from small-pox vesicles by not having
a hard circle of inflammation round them, or a depres-
sion in the centre of them. In the course of a day or
two the vesicles become pustules, on the fourth day dry
up, and by the sixth day complete scabs are formed.
When these fall off they may leave a few pits. Some-
times several crops of vesicles appear in succession,
and then the disease lasts longer.
General Treatment. — This disease is usually of such
a mild character that very little in the way of treat-
ment is needed. If there is considerable fever, the
patient should be kept in bed and on fever diet until
it subsides.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Antifti. tart. — In the early stage.
Mercurius.— When matter appears in the vesicles.
CHILBLAINS AND FROSTBITE —When frostbite is in-
tense it causes death of the part, leaving an ulcerating
surface, which must be treated as other ulcers. When
it is less intense it causes a low kind of inflammation,
of which chilblain is a familiar form.
General Treatment. — When a part becomes frozen as
the tip of the nose or ears, great care must be taken not
to let the person go near a fire. The frozen part
CHILD-BIRTH. 47
should be rubbed with snow until it thaws and becomes
quite soft.
Chilblains may be treated by rubbing with snow or
bathing in cold water. Among other applications that
are useful is painting with the strong tinctures of Veratrum
Viride or Tamus communis or Rhus /ox., or with coal oil
in which camphor has been dissolved. For broken
chilblains a lotion of Verat. v. # (one part to two of
water) should be applied as a compress. When
ulcerated, Calendula ointment.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Agar. — Simple chilblains.
Puis. — In blonde girls, with scanty or delayed menstrua-
tion.
Rhus t. — Dusky red chilblains, with much burning.
Arsen.— Acute burning pains j irritable, ill-conditioned
ulcers.
CHILD-BIRTH. — Normally, the duration of pregnancy is
nine months. The best mode of reckoning is to count
two hundred and eighty days, or forty weeks, from the
last day of the last menstrual period. The duration
of labour is very varied. Frequently the pains begin
some days before labour is accomplished. From four
to six hours is the average duration of the severe pains,
but some women have hardly any pain at all.
Towards the latter end of the time the child sinks
lower in the abdomen than it was before, and the woman
becomes smaller round the waist than she has been
for some weeks before. Labour is often preceded by
nervous symptoms, trembling, disposition to tears, low
spirits. Looseness of the bowels should not be inter-
fered with. The actual onset of labour is announced
by a slight reddish discharge, called a " show."
General Treatment. — The care of a woman in child-
birth must only be undertaken by a doctor or a mid-
48 CHILD-BIRTH.
wife, but there are points in the general management
of the patient, both before and after confinement, that
ought to be attended to. Under BREASTS I have
described the attention that ought to be paid to them
during the later months of pregnancy. The best
ordinary preparation is attention to the general health,
taking plenty of plain, unstimulating food and open-air
exercise. Sometimes at the beginning of labour, and
occasionally two or three days, or even weeks, before
the actual onset of it, women suffer from " false pains."
These may be checked by medicines.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Nux vom. — Pains in abdomen and back ; constipation ;
in passionate persons.
Puis. — Pains in abdomen and loins, as if from continued
stooping ; stiffness ; aching and dragging in thighs,
diarrhoea or constipation. From eating fat or indiges-
tible food. In mild-tempered persons.
Bell. — Spasmodic pains.
During Labour. — Drugs and stimulants of all kinds
should be avoided.
Flooding. — This is one of the most dangerous incidents of
child-birth, and it is well that every nurse should know
how to deal with it, as a doctor cannot be always ob-
tained immediately. A certain amount of bleeding is
natural, and need give no alarm. Also the waters mixed
with blood give an appearance of excessive bleeding
when there is actually not much. It is when the
blood comes away in gushes, after the child is born,
that the condition is dangerous.
Treatment. — Keep the patient perfectly quiet. Give
no warm drinks. Let the patient smell a little vinegar.
Place the hand on the body low down, and press so as
to get the womb to contiact and expel the after-birth.
If this fails, introduce the hand into the womb and take
firm hold of the after-birth (not the cord, but the whole
CHILD-BIRTH. 49
after-birth), and draw it out, keeping pressure with the
left hand on the body all the time. If the bleeding does
not then cease, inject water as hot as the hand can be
borne in.
Medicines. — (Every five minutes until bleeding is
arrested.)
China. — When there is giddiness, faintness, or loss of
consciousness.
Ipec. — When there is nausea or vomiting.
After Delivery. The patient must be kept perfectly
quiet for an hour. If, after the lapse of this time there
is no bad symptom, especially no bleeding, she may
have her things changed and her bed made. A ban-
dage (or " binder ") may be applied immediately after
delivery without disturbing the patient.
After Pains are troublesome contractions that come
after delivery in women who have borne children before.
They seldom occur in first labours. They may be
checked by medicines.
Medicines. — (Eveiy hour until relief.)
Arnica. — Not very violent ; accompanied by feeling of
soreness.
Cham. — In nervous, excitable patients, with restlessness.
Puis. — In persons of mild and gentle disposition.
Bell. — Much bearing down • fulness of the head ; tender-
ness and fulness of abdomen.
Duration of Confinement. — This will depend on the
individual patient. The usual period is nine days, and
that should be the least allowed. The patient may get
up for a time on the tenth day if all has gone well.
But if there have been any drawbacks she must be kept
in bed longer.
The Diet should be at first very light, consisting
chiefly of gruel, milk, and farinaceous food, beef-tea, and
eggs. After a few days a mutton chop may be given,
and gradually ordinary diet may be returned to.
D
So CHILDREN.
Diarrhcea sometimes occurs during the period of con-
finement. This is a bad symptom, and must be
attended to at once.
Fids. — (Every hour until relief.) When there is much in-
effectual straining ; chilliness ; mucous discharge ; in
night and early morning. See also DIARRHCEA.
Constipation is a normal state for the first few days, and
need not be interfered with. After five or six days
medicines may be given (every three or four hours
until relief).
Bry. — When there is fulness in the head and pains in the
bowels.
Nux vom.— After Bry. See CONSTIPATION.
For care of breasts and nipples, see BREAST.
For the management of the child, see INFANTS.
For weaning and milk affection, see MILK and MILK-
FEVER. See also WHITE LEG.
CHILDREN, DISEASES OF.— Children differ from adults
in this respect, that their tissues are in a more active
state of change ; consequently, the diseases which are
more peculiarly incident to childhood are diseases con-
cerned with nutrition and growth. Also, they are more
liable to those epidemic diseases which generally
attack a person only once in a lifetime adults being
as a rule protected by having passed through an attack
already. Then, the smallness of their organs, especially
the bronchial tubes and air passages, makes inflamma-
tion of these a much more serious thing than it is in
adults. In other respects the diseases are much the same
whether met with in children or adults, and the descrip-
tion of the diseases and their treatment applies to all alike.
Articles dealing with the diseases of children will be found,
in their proper order, under headings BRONCHITIS,
CROUP, COUGH, WHOOPING COUGH, MEASLES,
CHILDREN. St
SCARLATINA, CHICKEN-POX, DIARRHEA, CHO-
LERA INFANTUM, RICKETS, TEETHING. For
the management of the new-born, see INFANTS.
Feeding and Management of Children. — If the
mother is strong and healthy the best food for
the child is her milk, and for the first eight months
it need take nothing else. But unfortunately it
is somewhat rare to meet with mothers who are
both strong and healthy, and consequemly provi-
sion must be made for feeding them in other
ways. The best food after human milk is cow's milk.
There is no necessity to have it always from the
same cow, though some people make a great point
of this. During the first month the milk should be
diluted with one-third of warm water, and, of course,
heated to blood-heat, but not boiled. The greatest
care must be taken with the feeding-bottle when bottles
are used. It is best to have a large number, and let
each bottle after using be put into water in which
a little bicarbonate of soda has been dissolved.
The tubes and nipples must be especially frequently
cleaned with the soda solution. Milk should be the
staple article of diet for the first eight months. When
teeth begin to appear, the child may have crusts to
chew, and may also have bread-and-milk. The pro-
gress of the teeth will be the index of the time when
solid food may be given. But before this time the
milk may be thickened for children in various ways.
A very good one is to put a tablespoonful of Embden
groats into a pint of milk, and let it simmer for two
hours, and then carefully strain ; then thicken the milk
a little. It is excellent for all infants who can
and will take it, but especially for ill-nourished and
rickety children. Next to fresh cow's milk is Swiss
condensed milk. This agrees with some children
better than fresh milk, and sometimes it is well for a
52 CHOLERA.
change. There are many preparations of artificial food
for infants, and among the best are Reed & Carnrick's
(which I prefer to all others), the Aylesbury Dairy's
Artificial Human Milk, Neave's, Ridge's, Mellin's, and
Savory & Moore's.
Washing. — The greatest care must be taken with the
washing and bathing of children. When healthy, every
infant should have a tepid bath twice a day, morning
and evening. After a child is two months old, if the
weather is warm, a cold bath in the morning may be
generally substituted for the tepid, but a cold bath
should never be given at night. The greatest care
should be taken with the drying of the skin.
Clothing. — The clothing of infants should be loose,
light, and warm, and adapted to the weather. No
pins should be used except safety-pins. Dr. Roth
has devised a dress for children which can be fastened
on at once, the child being simply laid upon it, and
the dress fastening behind. This obviates the necessity
of rolling the child round and round, as is now done
in yards of swaddling-clothes.
Open-air Exercise. — When the weather is fine a child
should be taken out twice a day after it is a month
old ; in summer it may be out all day long if circum-
stances allow.
Sleep. — The best mode of securing sleep in infants is to
feed and clothe them properly, and see that they have
plenty of out-door exercise. If they do not sleep
perfectly it may be taken for granted that there is
some cause, which ought to be found out and removed.
On no account should children have sleeping-doses
given to them.
CHOLERA ASIATICA (EPIDEMIC CHOLERA).— Asiatic
cholera is an infectious disease due to some specific
poison the nature of which is not known, and the con-
CHOLERA. 53
dition of whose development and mode of propagation
is also imperfectly understood.
The disease commences with violent chills, and the
poisoning may be so intense as to destroy life within
one or two hours. The patient shakes with the chills
and becomes visibly shrunken, the blood collects in the
internal parts, and generally there is diarrhoea and
vomiting, the patient becomes cold, and a complete
and fatal collapse very frequently occurs in this stage.
In favourable cases there is cessation of the violent
purging and vomiting, some warmth returns to the
skin, the patient gradually recovers, and asks for drink
and food.
General Treatment. — (i) Prevention. — Wear next
the skin a plate of copper (6 in. by 4, for a man of large
size; 5 in. by 3 for a small man, and for a woman ;
4 in. by 2 for children). Let it be fastened round the
waist by straps attached to longitudinal slits cut in the
ends of the plate, which should be oval. Let the plate
rest on the front of the abdominal wall, and let it be
made slightly concave, so as to adapt itself to the
shape of the body. The plate should be worn day
and night. It may be cleansed from time to time by
rubbing with vinegar.
In addition to this, if the person to be protected is
much exposed to the disease, one drop of Cuprum
aceticum 3X should be given in a little water night and
morning.
(2) Preliminary Symptoms. — In cholera times,
whenever diarrhoea occurs, give Rubini's Tincture of
Camphor^ five drops on a lump of sugar, every fifteen
minutes to every hour, according to the urgency of the
symptoms, until the diarrhoea is completely removed.
Should an attack come on without premonitory diar-
rhoea, sudden coldness and lividity seizing the patient,
give Rubini's Camphor, five drops every ten minutes.
54 CHOLERA.
This may be given if there is diarrhoea at the same
time, provided it is not excessive.
(3) Care of the Patient. — The patient should now
be kept at rest, and as warm as possible, hot flannels
being applied to the abdomen, and hot bottles to the
feet. No solid food whatever should be given ; water
may be taken ad libitum ; and small pieces of ice may
be given to suck. Milk is the best food, if it is
tolerated. Movement is to be avoided. It is better
to treat patients at their own homes if at all possible,
as the very fact of moving a patient into hospital may
make the difference between death and recovery.*
Medicines. — (Every fifteen minutes until reaction sets in,
then less often, waiting until the effect of each dose is
exhausted.)
Camphor (Rubini's). — The use of this has been explained
above.
Veratrumalb. 3. — Should reaction not come on with cam-
phor; vomiting, purging, cold sweat on forehead.
Cuprum 6. — Cramps, with vomiting and purging.
Arsen. alb. 3. — Collapse deepening, great general depres-
sion, endangering life.
Hydrocyanic arid 3X. — Collapse most profound, respiration
slow, gasping, patient appearing dead in the intervals
between the breaths.
CHOLERA INFANTUM.— In summer time children are
liable to sudden attacks of vomiting and diarrhoea,
which cause rapid prostration, and, if not speedily
checked, death. The vomited matters consist at first
of food, then of mucus, and there may be empty
retching. The motions are mostly thin and watery,
and green or yellow ; at times they are slimy and •
mixed with blood ; at times they consist of undigested
food. The child wastes rapidly; there is usually
great thirst ; the body is hot, and hands and feet cold.
* From the Author's " Prescriber,"
CHOLERA. 55
The chief causes are improper feeding and changes of
temperature
General Treatment. — To guard against it, pay great
attention to the clothing and diet of the child, and of
the nursing mother of the child if at the breast. All
stimulating food and drinks should be avoided. The
child should be fed at regula intervals. It should be
clothed well, but not too warmly. Very light woollen
clothing is the best for summer. The room it is kept
in should be well aired. Daily bathing in cold water
is beneficial.
During an attack the child should be allowed to drink
cold water, or thin barley-water or toast- water. The
white of eggs, beat up into a froth, and given in a tea-
spoon, is an excellent diet in diarrhoea. If the child
is at the breast, it must not be allowed to take more
than a very little at a time. The craving for drink is
natural, and should not be resisted, and when it is re-
tained there is nothing better than water ; it must be
given in teaspoonfuls.
Medicines. — (Every fifteen minutes until reaction sets in,
then gradually increasing the intervals.)
Aeon. — Watery diarrhoea, crying, complaining, biting fists
restless.
Arsen. — Weakness, pallor, emaciation, great thirst ; white
or brownish offensive diarrhoea, worse after midnight
or towards morning, and after eating or drinking.
Carb. veg. — Stools thin and offensive, child cold, blue
collapsed.
Ipec. — At the beginning of an attack, nausea, vomiting of
food and drink or mucus and bile, thirst.
Chi?ia. — Diarrhoea after every meal, stools foetid, thin,
undigested.
Verat. — Great weakness, fainting, coldness, vomiting
after swallowing the least liquid ; or after the slight est
movement j colic, loose brownish stools.
56 CHOLERA— CIRCULATION.
Sulph. — Stools frequent, greenish, thin, watery, slimy.
CHOLERA MORBUS, CHOLERINE, COMMON CHO-
LERA.— The symptoms of common cholera are much
like those of Asiatic cholera, but are less severe as a rule,
and the disease is seldom fatal. There are also violent
purging and vomiting, griping, and thirst, preceded by
shivering, and terminating, if not checked, in collapse.
But the disease is not dependent on a specific poison,
like the epidemic cholera. The common cause is in-
discretion in eating and changes of temperature.
General Treatment — This is the same as in the case
of Asiatic cholera. Keep the patient warm and quiet
in bed ; give small pieces of ice to suck ; no solid
food, only milk and barley-water. Beef-tea must be
avoided.
Medicines. — (Every fifteen minutes until there is im-
provement, then less often.)
Veratrum alb. — Is the most useful medicine in general.
Violent vomiting : severe diarrhoea, watery, painful or
painless ; coldness.
Arsen. — Great prostration \ fear of death ; insatiable
thirst.
Cuprum. — Violent cramps in calves of legs.
China. — Eor weakness remaining after.
CIRCULATION, FEEBLE.— A large percentage of the
population of the British islands suffer more or less
from defective circulation. The symptoms of it are
congestion of the small blood-vessels, as indicated by
blueness of the exposed parts, such as the face and
hands ; tendency to chilblains, and a constant feeling
of chilliness, and especially coldness of the hands and
feet.
General Treatment. — The best way to counteract this
condition is to take regular open-air exercise, and,
when a good reaction can be obtained, to sponge all
CLERGYMAN'S SORE THROAT. 57
over with cold water in the morning, rubbing briskly
with a rough towel afterwards until the whole surface
of the skin is aglow.
Medicines.— (Three or four times a day.)
Cak. carb. — In those subject to cold, clammy feet.
Nux v. — Chilly subjects; like to be warmly wrapped
up ; sensitive to changes of temperature j irritable dis-
position.
Pulsatilla. — In fair subjects of mild disposition ; though
chilly, they cannot bear the heat of a fire, and throw
off the bed-clothes at night.
Carb. veg. — Especially in old people, with great vital
depression.
Rhus t. — Great blueness of the surface ; chilblains.
When the state is due to poverty of the blood itself
the treatment recommended for ANEMIA will be
beneficial. See also CHILBLAINS.
CLERGYMAN'S SORE THROAT.— Public speakers are
liable to a chronic relaxed sore throat, which has been
called in consequence " clergyman's sore throat," but
which is by no means confined to persons of this class.
It consists of chronic congestion of the follicles of the
mucous membrane of the throat, often extending to
the back of the nose and to the vocal cords. The
symptoms are a feeling of dryness in the throat, con-
stant desire to hawk up mucus, dropping of mucus
from the back of the nostrils down the back of the
throat ; hoarseness. It is usually a very inveterate
complaint.
General Treatment. — Care must be taken in using
the voice, when this disease occurs in speaking, not to
strain it in any way, and much may be done by vocal
drill and exercise in breathing. Much relief may be ob-
tained by gargling the throat with warm milk and water.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
58 CLOTHING— COLD.
Mercurius. — Throat swollen red; tongue furred and
flabby ; hoarseness j disposition to sweat easily.
Phosph. — Hoarseness with cough and soreness in larynx,
worse in the evening ; cannot talk on account of pain
in the larynx.
Hepar. — Feeling as if a splinter or fish-bone were in the
throat, scarcely allowing him to swallow ; symptoms
worse during the night.
See also under THROAT.
CLOTHING. — Dress is not by any means a matter of fashion
merely. A man's spirit is "confined to what it works
in," in more senses than one. Ill-fitting clothes are
not only objectionable from an aesthetic point of view,
but very decidedly also from a point of view of health
and morals. It is impossible for a man to be at his
best if he wears badly made clothes, or clothes of
wrong materials. The essentials of good clothing are
the following : —
i. The material should be good, and adapted to the
purposes for which it is required.
2. It should be of such a nature as to retain the bodily
heat, whilst permitting the escape of perspiration.
3. It should be so made as to permit the freest move-
ments of the chest, body, and limbs, whilst at the
same time fitting gracefully so long as the wearer
retains good positions ; for it is just as easy for the
wearer to spoil his clothes, as it is for bad clothes to
injure the wearer.
COLD IN THE HEAD.— The symptoms of cold in the
head need no describing, as they are well known
to all. But it is not recognized by everybody that a
cold is a constitutional disorder. A chilling of the
skin, when it results in a cold in the head, also affects
the whole system, producing an abnormal chilliness and
sensitiveness to cold. But colds are not always caught in
COLD IN THE HEAD. 59
this way ; they are often due to atmospheric influences,
and, again, often caught from those who have colds.
General Treatment. — Whenever it is possible it is
well to stay in one temperature until a cold has passed
oft". A liberal dietary, hot drinks, putting extra blan-
kets on the bed, wrapping up the head at night, and
putting the feet into hot water, are all well-known
remedies for colds, and are all useful in many cases.
They should not be neglected by homoeopathists.
Medicines. — (Unless otherwise directed, every hour until
relief is obtained, then less often.)
Camphor. — (Camphor pilules are the best). Immedi-
ately the chill has been taken, and while it is still on.
One pilule every fifteen minutes, until the chill is
succeeded by a glow. If this does not follow in the
course of two or three hours, this medicine should be
discontinued, and aco?iite given instead.
Aeon. — In the early stage of colds, if the initial chill has
passed, or when a feverish state has supervened.
This may be continued forty-eight hours, by which
time, in most cases, the cold will have disappeared.
Mercurius. — Fully established cold j thick or thin un-
irritating discharge ; sensitive both to heat and cold.
Arsen. — Influenza cold j thin, irritating, hot discharge ;
prostration, anxiety, thirst.
Hepar. — Nose inflamed and swollen ; bones of the nose
sore to touch.
Nux v. — Running cold by day, stopped at night.
Puis. — Running colds, greenish discharge, sore eyes, in
blonde mild-tempered subjects, chilly but cannot bear
a fire or warm room.
Nat. mur. — Chronic or recurring colds. Colds in chilly
persons, constipated, subject to palpitation.
Cale. — In chilly subjects, who have cold clammy feet,
tendency to perspire in the night or early morning.
Chronic colds.
60 COLIC.
SuJph. — When there is constipation, a u sinking " sensa-
tion in the forenoon, and chronic colds in persons sub-
ject to skin eruptions.
COLIC. — Painful contraction of the bowels, compelling the
patient to bend double, due to indigestible articles of
food ; drinking cold water ; chills ; or lead poisoning.
The last is especially found in painters.
Diagnosis. — The absence of all signs of fever separates
colic from inflammation of the bowels ; also in in-
flammation the patient cannot bear the least pressure,
whilst in colic pressure relieves. The passage of gall-
stones may be taken for colic, but in that case the
pain is more definitely localized, and there are accom-
panying liver symptoms, as yellow skin, and even
jaundice, with light-coloured stools. The passage
of renal calculi (kidney-stones) cause pains like
colic, but these pains are lower down in the body, are
confined to one side, and are accompanied by frequent
urging to pass water, which is scanty.
General Treatment. — The patient must keep at rest,
and take only liquid food until the attack is over. To
prevent future attacks he must avoid the causes which
bring them on. Painters must be scrupulously careful
in washing their hands before they eat. When
caused by overloaded stomach, give coffee without
milk.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour, or less frequently accord-
ing to the urgency of the case.)
Nux vom. — Pinching, drawing, compressing pains in
body, making patient bend double, worse at every
step, when due to indigestible food and constipation.
Cham. — Flatulent colic, intolerance of pain, aggra-
vated at night and by warmth. After violent in-
dignation.
Coloc. — Pains very violent, constant or only ceasing for
a short time, most violent at spot near navel.
CONFINEMENT— CONSTIPATION. 6 1
Puis. — From overloaded stomach. Wind that cannot be
got rid of; abdomen painful to touch ; pains worse when
lying down ; tearing shooting about the navel ; diarrhoea
yellow grey evacuations, pressing tensive headache.
Opium. — For lead colic.
Dioscorea. — Colic relieved by moving about.
CONFINEMENT. See CHILD-BIRTH.
CONSTIPATION.— When a person does not have a mo-
tion of the bowels as frequently as is natural to him,
the condition is called constipation. This may occur
temporarily from various causes, the bowels returning
to their proper condition after a few days, or it may
become a habit. In the latter case the condition
is termed costiveness. Constipation generally occurs
after acute illnesses; also as a reaction after the
use of purgatives ; from irregularities in diet, or
from want of proper attention to the calls of nature.
Certain articles of food produce constipation in some
individuals, whilst others are not affected by them.
Occasionally it is due to disease or malformation of
the bowels. When it occurs after acute illness it is
generally due to loss of power of the bowel itself, and
disappears when the strength is restored.
Many persons imagine themselves constipated when
they are not. It is not necessary for every one to
have a motion of the bowels daily. Some people can
go two, or even three or more days, without any desire
for a motion. If the action takes place without dis-
comfort, and the delay causes no other symptoms,
such as headache, there is no occasion for the least
anxiety. Indeed, patients who are habitually costive may
console themselves with the reflection that the condition
is much better than its opposite— chronic looseness of the
bowels — and that costive persons are usually long livers.
But when constipation or costiveness is attended with
62 CONSTIPATION.
pain, or difficulty in evacuating the bowels, it may be"
enough to make life a burden, and something must be
done. The usual thing is for the patient to resort to
purgatives, and this is the worst thing to do. The
usual result of this is to give present relief at the
expense of aggravating the condition.
Obstruction of the Bowels is the extreme stage ot
constipation. In this there is a blocking of the bowel
by hardened faeces, which cannot be passed by the
bowel, which is in a state of paralysis. If purgatives
are given in this state the general result is to irritate
the bowel, and cause irregular contractions, which
may cause one part of the bowel to slip into another
part {intussusception), and this, if not speedily re-
lieved, ends in gangrene. Obstruction is not nearly
jo common as is imagined; many people who suffer
from very sluggish bowels consider they have obstruc-
tion, when there is really no blocking of the bowels,
but only inactivity.
General Treatment. — Much may be done in the way
of restoring to the bowels their natural function by
exercise and diet. The use of whole-meal bread in place
of white bread (which often contains alum, a possible
cause of constipation), dried fruits, such as figs, prunes,
and ripe fruits, fresh and cooked, should be tried. Stewed
rhubarb is often efficient. Meat must be taken mode-
rately not oftener than once a day, and a liberal supply
of vegetables. Alcohol in all forms should be avoided.
Strong tea should not be taken. The substitution of
coffee for tea at breakfast will often assist the bowels
to act.
Among other remedial measures may be mentioned
the use of a cold water compress placed on the body at
night ; drinking a glass of cold (or hot) water on rising
and going to bed, and the use of the enema or injection.
For this only water should be used, warm or cold ;
CONSTIPATION. 63
warm water, when the enema is given to produce an
immediate relief ; cold, when it is given to strengthen
the lower bowel. In the latter case it should be given
at bed-time, and the water should be quite cold and
retained if possible. Another useful domestic remedy
may be mentioned, and it is especially useful where
constipation is complicated with piles. Put a table-
spoonful of coarse black treacle (golden syrup will not
do) into a tumbler of cold water over-night. In the
morning stir it and drink by sips whilst dressing. This
will often assist the action of medicines.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Opium. — An inclination to evacuate but feeling as if the
orifice were closed ; no regular pressure ; sensation as
if a load on abdomen ; heavy drowsy feeling ; dry
mouth, thirst, want of appetite. Stool hard round
black balls like marbles.
Nux vom. — In sedentary persons and those accustomed
to drink spirits. Bad taste in the mouth, want of
appetite, especially in the morning, slimy tongue, irrita-
bility, headache ; frequent urging, little or nothing passes.
Puis. — After taking rich or fat food j with moroseness
and taciturnity.
Pry. — With indigestion, weight at stomach after food and
pain between shoulders \ patient irritable, feels chilly,
subject to rheumatism. Stool hard, large, light-coloured,
and dry.
Lycop. — Constipation with sadness, complete loss of
appetite. When there is much flatulence and gravelly
urine.
Plumb. — Constipation of hard round balls; colic; abdomen
drawn in ; also constipation of children with large
bellies in mesenteric disease.
sEsculus Hip.— Constipation of hard round balls, backache
aggravated by walking.
Nat. m. Constipation in chilly subjects; earthy com-
64 CONSTITUTIONS.
plexion j feeling of contraction at the anus ; and as if
something were lodged in the rectum (lower bowel).
Salph. — Frequent disposition to go to stool with in-
effectual efforts. Sinking sensation at stomach, hot
flushes, and fainty spells. See also FILES.
CONSTITUTIONS.— It is of great service in homoeopathic
practice to be well acquainted with the different kinds
of constitutions that prevail, and their corresponding
medicines. When a patient has very marked constitu-
tional characteristics, it often happens that one or
two medicines will give relief, no matter what the dis-
ease may be that he is suffering from. For instance,
those patients who are subject to clammy cold hands
and feet, perspiring heads (either hot or cold), chilli-
ness with relief by warmth, and irritability of temper,
will almost always receive benefit from Calcarea. No
matter what disease they may have, if these symptoms
are prominent, Calcarea will relieve and often cure.
Such are said to have the Calcarea constitution.
Contrasted with this is the Sulphur constitution.
The Sulphur patient, instead of being chilly like the
Calcarea patient, is hot, apt to perspire, has an irri-
table skin, and cannot endure warmth. He is always
worse near a fire, in a hot room, and when warm in
bed at night. The feet may be cold, but they are
generally dry \ often they are hot and burning, espe-
cially the soles ; they may be hot and perspiring ; cold
hands and feet and hot head are a characteristic
feature. The most characteristic feature of Sulphur
is a sinking, " all gone," empty sensation at the pit of
the stomach, generally worst in the forenoon. With
this there are often hot fainty spells, with perspiration.
The Sulphur patient dislikes washing. Such is the Sul-
phur constitution. When these symptoms are present,
Sulphur must be given, no matter what the complaint.
CONSUMPTION. 65
Like Calcarea, in the matter of chilliness and
aggravation by cold or draughts, are Hepar Sulph.,
Silica, and Arsenicum, among the remedies for chronic
diseases, and Nux and Belladonna, among the reme-
dies for acute diseases. Nux corresponds very closely
to Calcarea in its action, and will often help a Cal-
carea patient temporarily.
Allied to Sulphur in aggravation by heat are Apis,
Iodum, and Pulsatilla.
A third type may be described which is represented
by Lycopodium. The chief symptoms of this remedy are
great tendency to accumulation of flatulence, constipa-
tion, red sandy deposit in urine, affections or pains
occurring on the right side of the body and travelling
to the left (Sulphur has a preference for the left
side), aggravation of all symptoms in the afternoon,
especially from 4-8 p.m. It has a sinking sensation
like Sulphur, but it is generally worst in the afternoon,
or it may prevent the patient sleeping at night. In this
it is like Ignatia. Nux and Pulsatilla have both affinities
with Lycopodium.
These are the three chief types commonly met with.
They are not always distinct, and we often find all three
combined in the same patient. But generally the char-
acteristics of one predominate, and the medicine which
corresponds to that is the one to be given first. When it
has done all it is capable of doing, the remaining symp-
toms will show which medicine should be chosen next.
CONSUMPTION OF THE LUNGS (PHTHISIS).— There
are many different conditions included under the term
" Consumption of the Lungs." When any affection of
the lungs, involving consolidation or destruction of its
tissue, is accompanied by wasting, fever, night-sweats,
and loss of strength, it is fitly termed " consumption."
This may follow an ordinary inflammation of the lungs
E
66 CONSUMPTION.
which does not clear up, it may follow (but this is rare)
bronchitis, or it may arise from infection. But before
a person can be infected with consumption there must
be some predisposition already existing. Persons who
have this predisposition should not nurse consumptive
patients or they may become infected. Consumption
may depend on the deposition of what are called
"tubercles" in the lung. These are minute greyish
bodies composed of degenerate tissue, and containing
minute organisms, called bacilli, which appear to be
the carriers of the infection when the disease is conveyed
in that way. But for practical purposes it is unneces-
sary to make any distinction between tubercular and
non-tubercular consumption. Both are curable at
times, and when they are fatal both are fatal in the
same way.
Diagnosis. — The cough, wasting, hectic fever, night-sweats,
and blood-spitting, and unnatural hopefulness of the pa-
tient (spes phthisica) are sufficient to distinguish con-
sumption from other lung diseases which might be mis-
taken for it. Chronic bronchitis is a disease that gets
better and worse, and has not the steady downward pro-
gress of consumption. When one side of the chest only
is affected there is a sinking in of the chest-wall, and
tapping gives a dull sound instead of the natural
resonant sound. On applying the ear, there is gene-
rally much rattling and a resonating sound heard which
denotes that a cavity has formed in the lung. Chronic
suppurative pleurisy may cause symptoms closely re-
sembling phthisis, but in these cases there is the history
of pleurisy to guide.
The treatment of consumption is of course a matter for
the medical man. There is much to be done in the
way of prevention by proper attention to food and
clothing. The best way to guard against consumption
(as well as every other disease) is to keep the body
CONSUMPTION. 67
well nourished and well clothed. Generally consump-
tives have a great dislike to fat, and fat is one of the
necessary elements of their dietary, and should there-
fore be supplied in the most agreeable form. Cod-
liver oil is one of the best fats, and it is also a good deal
more — it is a powerful medicine. It should form a
regular article of the dietary of children who are at all
weak-chested or whose families are consumptive. In
one sense consumption is not an hereditary disease ; no
child is ever born with consumption. But the tendency lo
consumption is very decidedly hereditary, and it is in
those cases where one or both parents are consumptive
that the greatest care is needed in the case of their
children. When the disease has actually declared itself,
one of the chief points to attend to is the diet. If the
strength of the patient can be kept up, the disease may
be kept at bay, and eventually conquered.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours.)
Arsen. — Fever, restlessness, red tongue, burning thirst,
cough worse at night ; great emaciation, anxiety.
China. — Hectic fever, copious night-sweats ; diarrhoea.
Phos. — Constant irritable cough, bloody expectoration. In
commencing phthisis, with blood-stained expectoration.
Hepar. — Great sensitiveness to cold and all impressions ;
hectic, night-sweats, spasmodic cough, purulent ex-
pectoration.
Other medicines may be given as indicated by the
symptoms. See COUGH.
CONSUMPTION OF THE BOWELS,— This is a name
given to two different conditions — disease of the lymph-
atic glands of the abdomen, and tubercle of the covering
membrane of the intestine. The former is the disease
more commonly met with in infants and children ; the
latter is more common in adult life. The symptoms of the
former are great wasting of the limbs and trunk muscles,
68 CONVULSIONS.
with increase in size of the abdomen. With this
there may be chronic diarrhoea, or obstinate constipa-
tion. The symptoms of the latter are the usual symp-
toms of inflammation of the bowels {see BOWELS,
INFLAMMATION OF), but with great wasting.
The Treatment of these conditions can only be directed
by a medical man. The prevention is chiefly a question
of proper nourishment and care of the general health.
See previous article ; also BATH, CLOTHING, DIET.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Arsen. — Anxiety, restlessness, diarrhoea, fever, wasting.
Plumb .^—Shrunk limbs and swollen body; obstinate
constipation.
Merc. — Mucous or bloody stools.
CONVULSIONS. — There are several diseases attended with
spasms of the muscles of the body resulting in various
contortions of the features and limbs. When such
spasms are attended with loss of consciousness, they
are epileptic. Many children have fits of this
kind, due to various causes, such as the irritation of
teething or unsuitable diet. These may never recur,
and then the disease is not called epilepsy proper, but
only if there is a periodical return of the attacks. Hys-
terical attacks are sometimes mistaken for epilepsy, but
in these the loss of consciousness is never complete,
and as they occur in young women who are generally
known to be hysterical, there is not much difficulty in
distinguishing between them. Sometimes fright will
send a person into convulsions, either hysterical or truly
epileptic. There may never be a second attack, but
not unfrequently the patient has become epileptic from
that moment, and subject to fits all the rest of his life.
Diagnosis. — Epilepsy is easily distinguished from apoplexy
in general. In the latter there is no struggling, and in
many cases there is no loss of consciousness ; but in
CONVULSIONS. 69
the worst forms of the two there may be difficulty. When
patients fall down unconscious and lie still with con-
gested face it may be impossible to decide between the
two. If there is a history of previous epileptic attacks
this will make the case clear. Where there is no such
history the event will have to decide.
Ix Children. — General Treatment. — Put the legs
of the child up to the knees in water as hot as can be
borne. Let them remain in five or ten minutes, or
until the fit appears to be gone off. Wipe perfectly
dry and wrap the child warmly after. This may be
repeated shortly if no relief follows the first time, or
if the fit returns. Whilst the feet are in the bath cold
water may be applied to the head. If the attack is
traceable to the presence of an irritating substance in
the bowels an injection of warm water should be given
to bring it away if possible.
Medicines. — (To be given just as the fit is gone off; or,
if long continued and frequently recurring, imme-
diately, and repeated every ten or fifteen minutes
according to urgency. If there is no recurrence the
medicine should be repeated two or three times a day
for a few days.)
Cham. — If the child is cross, and especially teething, and
if there is convulsive jerking of limbs, twitching of face
and eyelids, constant moaning, craving for drink, one
cheek red the other pale.
Bel/ad.— Starting suddenly when asleep or staring about
wildly ; dryness and burning heat of forehead and palms ;
involuntary discharge of urine after the return of
consciousness.
Ignat. — Sudden and violent starting from a light sleep
with loud screaming and trembling 01 the whole body ;
spasms of a single limb or single muscles.
Cina. — When there are worm symptoms, itching at the
nose and anus, and wetting of the bed.
70 CORNS.
Opium. — When due to fright ; loud screaming, tossing of
the limbs ; or an unconscious state as if stunned.
Sulph. — When following repelled eruptions.
Epileptic. — During the attack no treatment should be
attempted. Tight garments may be loosed, and a
tooth-brush handle may be inserted between the teeth
to prevent biting of the tongue. When the conditions
which induce an attack are known, such as indiscre-
tions in diet, these should be avoided. The ?nedical
treatment should, when possible, be undertaken by a
medical man.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Bell. — Convulsions violent ; followed by mental disturb-
ance.
Opium. — When the fit occurs in sleep ; heavy drowsy con-
dition ; constipation ; when the fits are a consequence
of fright, reproach, violent scolding, or taking offence.
Plumb. — In unhealthy -looking subjects who suffer from
constipation.
Sulph. — Fits occurring about the full moon. In constitu-
tions of the sulphur type, subject to eruptions, to
flushes of heat and fainty spells, when there is a
"sinking" sensation at the pit of the stomach, worse
in the forenoon.
Hysterical. See HYSTERIA.
CORNS. — Overgrowth of the scarf-skin, due to pressure on
certain parts of the foot and toes from ill-fitting boots,
the growth pressing on the sensitive true skin and
causing much pain.
The Treatment consists in wearing boots specially
made for avoiding pressure on the affected parts.
Relief may be obtained by bathing in hot water and
paring, and applying arnica plaster afterwards.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
CORPULENCY— COUGH. 71
Rhus. — When corns pain at changes of the weather ; and
afterwards Bry.
Sulph., Ca/c, and Ly cop. — When these are given according
to the temperament of the patient they will lessen the
tendency to corns. See CONSTITUTIONS.
CORPULENCY.— With some persons the increase of fatty-
tissue becomes so great as to amount to positive disease.
This may be combated in various ways.
General Treatment. — Open-air exercise should be
taken regularly. The freest ventilation should be
secured in the house. Meals should be taken regularly,
three times a day, and foods rich in fat, starch, or
sugar should be avoided or taken sparingly.
Medicines. — The medicine most commonly useful in this
condition is Phosphorus. After a course of this, Calc.
carb. should be tried. After this Arsen.
COUGH. — A cough is usually a symptom of some affection
of the lungs, bronchial tubes, or throat. In that case
the chapters on BRONCHITIS, CONSUMPTION, and
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS must be con-
sulted. But often a cough is the whole of the disease,
and is due to irritation or irritability of the air passages,
which does not amount to inflammation.
General Treatment. — Persons who are constantly
catching colds and getting coughs should adopt the
measures recommended for the prevention of colds.
Cold sponging, followed by brisk rubbing; warm, but
not too warm, clothing, and open-air exercise are all
helpful. It is not necessary to stay indoors always for a
cough. Rubbing the chest with olive oil or (especially
in children) cod-liver oil is good. Cold drinks if
desired ; gum water, and hot milk with water, and
linseed tea may be taken in any quantity. Pastry and
rich or spiced food must be avoided.
Medicines. — The types of cough are endless, but for
72 COUGH.
the most characteristic of them the corresponding
medicine will be found in the following list : —
Aconite. — A dry irritating cough, tickling in the larynx
(Adam's apple), the beginning of a cold.
Nux v. — Dry cough with rough scraping raw sensa-
tion in the throat ; oppressed breathing at night ; in
those who indulge much in coffee or spirituous drinks ;
asthma.
Hyoscy. — Dry cough, worse at night, coming on as soon
as patient lies down.
Caustic. — Protracted dry short cough ; or hollow cough ;
burning or excoriating pain in chest and windpipe;
urine escapes whilst coughing.
Bryonia. — Dry cough commencing with tickling in
throat ; comes on after eating and causes vomiting ;
cough begins as soon as patient enters warm room j
stitch in side j comes on in morning on first moving
about, with expectoration then. Cough with shooting
pains in the head, throat, and chest. Hard shaking
cough which causes pain in the head and abdomen.
Ipecac. — Cough of children when mucus almost suffocates
them. Spasmodic cough, face becomes purple, and
limbs stiff. Dry cough with tickling sensation in larynx.
Cough causing nausea and vomiting of mucus. Walk-
ing in cold air makes the cough worse.
Bellad. — Spasmodic cough excited by constant insup-
portable tickling in larynx, without phlegm on the
chest ; cough barking.
Merc. — Dry cough exhausting and shaking the patient,
more especially at night; hoarseness, fluent coryza.
Cina. — Dry cough, at times accompanied by expectora-
tion of mucus; in children, who start suddenly,
especially if they have worms. Fluent catarrh, burning-
sensation in nose ; children object to being touched.
Puis. — Cough ceasing in open air, violent in warm
room; cough dry in the beginning, then attended
COUGH. 73
with expectoration of mucus, which is easily raised ;
in the morning much yellow, salt, bitter, disgusting
expectoration, sometimes accompanied by retching ;
cough loose by day, dry and tickling at night, com-
pelling the patient to sit up and coming on as soon as
he lies down j rough feeling in windpipe, soreness
of abdomen and sides, as from a bruise, or shooting
pains in arm, shoulder, and back ; urine escapes
whilst coughing.
Arsen. — Loose cough with but little expectoration ; cough
difficult and causing constriction of the chest ; cough-
ing each time after drinking ; cough during the night,
with spitting of blood and burning heat all over the
body, want of breath, extreme fatigue and weakness.
Every evening dry cough which is very weakening,
oppression of chest on going upstairs and into cold
air j palpitation and agitation during the night.
Sulph. — Chronic dry cough from tickling in the throat,
coming on in the afternoon and continuing till towards
midnight ; cough only during the night, preventing the
patient from sleeping; dry cough during the night,
with yellow, greenish, offensive expectoration of thick
mucus, pus, and blood during the day ; cough which
seems to tear the chest under the sternum ; when
coughing, single stitches in the chest or under the ribs
on the right side ; feeling as if the chest would burst
when coughing or sneezing ; the chest feels narrow
and full, difficulty of breathing, whistling and rattling
in the chest, palpitation of the heart, the patient is
obliged to sit up during the night Cough attended
by a crushing pain in the head, blackness before the
eyes, heat in head, neck, and face, but cold hands.
Calc. carb. — Tedious cough caused by tickling or pain
down in the throat, so violent in evening and during
the night that every blood-vessel throbs. Dry cough
in the night during sleep; dry cough with pain or
74 COURSES— CRAMP.
rattling in the chest, particularly in very fat childien,
when Ipec. suits but does not suffice. Cough with
copious expectoration, particularly during the day,
lumpy, purulent, yellow, greenish, brown, so offensive
as to cause vomiting ; when coughing a stitch in side
and chest and burning in the latter ■ tearing and shoot-
ing pains in the head ; stitching pain in side when
breathing deeply, when moving and bending. In the
evening, heat, then chills and thirst, night-sweats, par-
ticularly on the chest; great weakness and much
anxiety concerning the malady.
Lack. — Cough excited by pressing the hand on the chest,
the patient unable to bear anything about the neck,
coughing during the night in his sleep ; coughing as if
something fluid had got into the windpipe ; difficulty
in expectoration. Cough much worse after meals, after
sleeping, and after rising ; is accompanied by pain in
throat, ears, head, and eyes.
COURSES. See MENSTRUATION.
CRACKS IN THE SKIN. — Nostrils cracked, Petrol. \
apply vaseline locally, and give Petrol. Lips cracked
and sore, Graphit. j vaseline locally. See also HANDS,
CHAPPED.
CRAMP. — Sometimes certain muscles, especially of the
calves and feet, are subject to painful contractions, which
are called cramps, coming on generally during sleep.
Treatment. — Press or squeeze the parts ; if in the feet
press them against the foot of the bed.
Medicines.— (One dose to be given at bedtime for a few
nights.)
Am. — When they occur after fatigue.
Verat. — To overcome the predisposition ; feet cold.
Nux v.— From no special cause, coming on in the night.
Sulph. — If these are insufficient.
Rhus.— Cramps in the daytime, only whilst sitting.
CROUP. 75
Lycop. — Cramps whilst walking.
Coloc. — Soreness and stiffness after an attack.
CROUP. — A spasmodic affection of the larynx (spasm of
vocal cords) and windpipe of children,, in the milder
form unaccompanied by inflammation, and consisting
of sudden attacks of suffocating cough, usually waking
the child from sleep. This is called " Miller's asthma,"
or Laryngismus stridulus. Another form, usually
arising from cold, and especially from exposure to cold
east wind, begins with a slight cough and hoarseness,
the suffocative attacks occurring suddenly in the night.
This kind arises from catarrhal inflammation of the
larynx and windpipe, occasioning spasm of the vocal
cords. In the worst form of all there is, in addition to
inflammation, the formation of a thick membrane. This is
almost always associated with diphtheria in the throat.
All forms of the disease are dangerous, and require
prompt treatment. A medical man will, of course,
always be consulted when possible, but there is much
to be done before he can be obtained, as the attacks
come on suddenly and find everybody unprepared.
Symptoms. — Whether preceded or not by slight cough,
the attack, which comes on suddenly and almost always
in the night, partakes of the same general characters. A
choking cough wakes the child from sleep. The
cough has a shrieking, sharp sound like the first attempt
at crowing of a young cock. There is great difficulty
in inhaling, and the breath is expelled in jerks. After
the attack has passed off the child remains hoarse and
cross. There may be a return the same night. Often
the child is apparently quite well the next day, but has
a return of all the alarming symptoms in the night.
General Treatment. — During the attack apply a sponge
wrung out of hot water, as hot as can be borne, to the
larynx (" Adam's apple ") and let both the arms be im-
76 CRYING.
mersed in the water itself. If the patient grows cold
and struggles with suffocation, pour very cold water
on the head, nape of the neck, and throat. The room
must be kept warm, and during the day the child must
be carefully guarded from colds. Flannel must be
put round the neck, and he must not be allowed to
eat fruit of any kind.
Medicines. — (To be given every ten or twenty minutes
during an attack, according to the urgency of the symp-
toms. Every three or four hours during the interval.)
Aeon. — The slight premonitory cough, as soon as cold is
observed ; at the beginning of the attack, choking,
dulness, anxiety, fright.
Hepar. — For the premonitory cough when hollow and
wheezing. For the hoarseness remaining in the morning
after an attack in the night. If the attacks come on
after midnight or grow worse then, Hepar is better
than Spongia. Rattling with the cough.
Spongia. — Voice rough, cough hollow, breathing sawing,
piping ; can be heard at a long distance, the attack
comes on before midnight ; absence of rattling.
Carbo veg. — Face blue, extremities cold, breath cold,
voice almost extinct.
CRYING. — When crying is excessive in children it is
usually caused by pain. Care should be taken to
see that there is no mechanical cause for this, no pin
sticking into the child, and no derangement of the dress.
Medicines. — Never on any account give laudanum, or
opiates, or u soothing syrups" of any kind to children.
They are always dangerous to the life of the child and
injurious to its health if it lives. — One of the following
may be given every few minutes till quiet :
Bell. — Starting suddenly out of sleep and beginning to
cry violently.
Aeon. — If crying is accompanied by uneasiness and heat.
CUTS— DEAFNESS. 77
Cham. — Fretfulness, wanting to be constantly carried
about j if the crying appears to be caused by earache or
headache.
CUTS. See WOUNDS.
DANDRIFF. — A scurfy state of the scalp. A certain
amount of scaling is natural ; it is only when it becomes
excessive that it constitutes disease.
General Treatment. — When the crust is thick it may
be removed by anointing with lard at night and wash-
ing with a weak solution of soda in the morning. It
must not be removed forcibly.
Medicines. — (To be given night and morning.)
Arsen. — When dry.
Sep. — When moist.
Sidph. — When dark or dirty-looking, with offensive
odour, red under the crust ; itching.
DEAFNESS. — This may be due to accumulation of wax in
the ears, to cold, to changes in the internal cavity of
the ear, or to affection of the nerve of hearing.
General Treatment. — When there is wax in the ear it
must be removed. This should never be attempted
with hair-pins or anything of that kind. Warm sweet-
oil should be dropped into the ear every night for two
or three nights, and then the ear should be syringed out
with warm water, very gently, as permanent harm may
be easily done if violence is used. For deafness, when
due to other causes, medicines will be required. When
accompanied by inflammation or earache, see under
EARS.
Medicines. — (To be given three or four times a day.)
Merc. — When due to cold and accompanied with cold in
the head or soreness of the throat ; swelled tonsils.
Puis. — If there is yellow discharge ; after measles.
Bell. — After scarlatina.
Verat. v. — With singing, twittering, tingling.
78 DEBILITY.
China. — With noises in the head and giddiness.
Magnes. card. — When due to shock or nervous causes.
Calc. carb. — In persons who have cold, clammy feet, or
are sensitive to changes of the weather.
DEBILITY. — When the bodily powers are in any way
reduced, and the general state is one of languor and
disinclination to attend to the usual duties, without
there being any definite disease to account for it, this
condition is called " Debility." The term is a useful
one, though it has no very definite scientific meaning.
It is persons in this condition who usually fly to
" tonics " in allopathy, and, if they happen to get the
right tonic, and do not take too much of it, well and
good ; but there are so many tonics, and the chances
of selecting the wrong one are so great, that harm much
more often than good results from their indiscriminate
use. The best, safest, and most efficacious of all
" tonics " are rest and change. But these are not '
always attainable, and then other measures must be
adopted. Cold or tepid sponging in the morning, early
retiring, and drives in the open air are generally available.
Liberal dietary is necessary in all cases. The meal-
times should be regular, and there should be a period
of rest after each. Wine is not to be relied on; but it is
sometimes of temporary use. It should never be taken
except with meals, and never to relieve the feeling of
" sinking " at the stomach which is a frequent accom-
paniment of debility. Burgundy is the best wine when
any is required.
Nervous Debility is usually the consequence of excesses
of some kind, and among these abuse of the sexual
function is the most fruitful. It is attended with suffer-
ings of all kinds — depression of spirts, indigestion,
sleeplessness, nervousness. The same General Treat-
ment as sketched above is applicable here, but more
reliance must be placed on medicines.
DELIRIUM TREMENS. 79
Medicines. — To be taken three or four times daily.
China. — Debility after illnesses, loss of blood and other
fluids, discharges from abscesses; nervous debility.
Arsen. — Debility, characterized by a low feverish condi-
tion, with anxiety, restlessness, thirst.
Nux v. — Debility in nervous patients ; spare habits ;
tendency to constipation ; nervous debility.
Ignat. — With excessive nervousness and sleeplessness.
Act. r. — With great melancholy, restlessness, and sleep-
lessness.
Ferrum. — With bloodlessness, palpitation, headache.
Calc, Sulph., atid Lye. — "When constitutionally indicated.
See CONSTITUTIONS.
DELIRIUM TREMENS.— One of the effects of alcohol
poisoning is the inducing of a state of violent delirium,
accompanied by visions of diverse animals, and some-
times by fever. This usually comes on after a long
period of indulgence, insufficient food being taken
during the time. It also comes on with the sudden
leaving off of stimulants after excess.
Diagnosis. — Poisoning with belladonna, an attack of acute
mania (brain fever), and the delirium of typhus fever
often resemble delirium tremens ; but the history of the
case will generally make it clear. There is almost always
the history of drinking habits in delirium tremens, and
very often a strong smell of spirits about the patient.
General Treatment. — This disease is always attended
with great danger, and the treatment should never be
undertaken except by a medical man when possible.
The principal thing is to keep up the patient's strength.
Strong soup or beef-tea should be administered at
frequent intervals. When the patient is violent, means
must be taken to prevent him hurting himself or others.
Medicines. — (To be given frequently,every half-hour until
their action is apparent, and then at longer intervals as
required.)
8o DELIVERY— DEPRESSION.
Bell. — Flushed face, violent delirium, tries to escape.
Verat. a. — Cold sweat on face, anxious desire to run
away, sees devils.
Ant. tart. — Foul tongue, tremulousness, vomiting, prostra-
tion.
Arsen. — At the beginning. In tobacco-chewers. Sees
the room full of thieves and spectres ; great anguish ;
fear to die ; pangs of conscience.
DELIVERY. See CHILD-BIRTH.
DENTITION. See TEETH.
DEPRESSION OF SPIRITS.— In general, low spirits pass
off when the cause is removed. But sometimes it
becomes itself a disease, and persists when there is
no longer any cause acting, and sometimes the cause is
of such a kind that it cannot be removed. In all cases
the cause should be sought and removed if ppssible.
General Treatment. — This is largely moral. The
patient must be encouraged to do his business and
transact his ordinary occupation in spite of his low
spirits. Often the malady will be forgotten if the mind
or hands are actively employed. In any case occupation
is the best palliative when it is not a cure. One par-
ticular precaution should be observed — the patient
should never be allowed to resort to stimulants. This
is fatal to any treatment, moral or medicinal, and the
habit once formed soon becomes confirmed.
Medicines. — (Two or three times daily.)
Act. rac. — As if a cloud settled over patient ; sleepless
and restless.
/gnat. — When due to worry; at change in life; with
hysterical symptoms.
Merc. — Wretchedness and dejection ; apprehension.
Nat. in. — Melancholy, depressed, sad and weeping ; con-
solation aggravates.
DERBYSHIRE NECK— DIARRH<K A. 81
Sulph* — With heaviness and drowsiness, or absence of
sleep ; " sinking " sensation, especially in the morning ;
broken-down dejected look.
DERBYSHIRE NECK. See GOITRE.
DIABETES. — A wasting disease, of which the prominent
symptoms are thirst and dryness of mouth, with passage
of large quantities of urine containing sugar. It is a
chronic disease, and may go on for years without affect-
ing the general health to any great extent ; but diabetics
should be careful, as the disease is liable to take a dan-
gerous turn. The older a patient is before the disease
sets in the less dangerous it is.
General Treatment. — Avoidance of chills by the use of
warm woollen underclothing j restriction of diet to
articles of food containing little starch or sugar. Gly-
cerine is a good substitute for sugar.
Medicines.
Ac. phos. — When connected with nervous weakness and
an apathetic condition.
Nat. m. — Great thirst, w-asting, constipation.
Sulph— When the constitutional symptoms of sulphur
are present.
DIARRHOEA. — The passage of loose or watery stools more
frequently than is natural constitutes diarrhcea. This
is a consequence of increased secretion of the intes-
tinal mucous membrane and intestinal glands, and may
result from many causes, such as a chill, from excessive
heat, sudden fright, vexation, burns or scalds. Diarrhcea
is looked upon by some people as a cleansing process,
and they are in the habit of taking purging medicines
perennially with this object. This is a mistaken notion.
Diarrhcea is no more "cleansing" than a cold in the
head is. But it is not advisable to check a diarrhcea
with astringents, for then the morbid process may be
transferred to some other part.
F
82 DIARRHCEA.
General Treatment. — The quieter the patient can be
kept when suffering from diarrhoea the better, and in
severe cases absolute rest must be enjoined. The
diet should consist of mucilaginous food, such as
arrowroot, rice, sago, mutton-broth thickened with
wheaten flour or sago. Boiled milk may be taken,
warm. The white of eggs beat up, just sweetened
with a little sugar, is also useful in diarrhoea. Acids,
coffee, tea, and such things must be avoided. Fruit,
fresh or dried, eggs, poultry, and veal are bad. Beef-
tea also is apt to increase the disorder.
Medicines. — (To be taken every hour or two until relief
is obtained, and then less often.)
Veratrum alb. — Painful watery diarrhoea; summer diar-
rhoea; great coldness; cold sweat on forehead ; nausea
and vomiting.
Chi?ia. — Frequent watery stools, withgripingpains; chronic
painless watery diarrhoea ; food passes undigested.
Aeon. — Following a chill.
Coloc. — With much colic ; stools brown or yellow, pappy
or waterv.
Puis. — Slimy diarrhoea, each stool of a different colour,
much pain.
C/iam. — In teething children, uneasy, want to be carried
about constantly ; cry, twist, and writhe ; stools slimy or
watery, green or brown, smelling of rotten eggs. In
adults when evacuations are green, watery, hot, and
offensive ; bitter taste in mouth, bilious vomiting,
griping, headache.
Merc. — Mucous bilious diarrhoea, sometimes mixed with
blood ; attended by screaming fits, ineffectual urging
and trembling, great exhaustion, fetid breath.
Arsen. — Watery, yellow, acrid stools ; great emaciation,
anguish ; chronic diarrhoea.
Sulph. — Diarrhoea coming on early in the morning;
green, slimy, acrid, excoriating the parts ; emaciation ;
DIET. S3
hard, distended abdomen j chronic diarrhoea. See
also CHOLERA.
DIET. — The three essential points to observe in regard
to food are — the quality of it, the quantity, and the
times at which it is taken.
In general a substantial breakfast at eight, a light lunch
at one, and a substantial dinner at seven, and nothing
between these, is the best possible arrangement for
the daily meals. The quality should be light and
digestible, the quantity enough to satisfy hunger,
and the drink non-medicinal, and in quantity enough
to allay thirst.
In sick?iess the diet will be regulated according to the
disorder. In acute ilhiesses it must be of the lightest
and simplest kind. Pure water may be given as much
as is desired in these cases ; it may be sweetened with
pure fruit syrup, if desired. Toast-water, barley-water,
rice-water, gum-arabic-water, thin oatmeal gruel, milk
whey; also arrowroot, sago, tapioca, semolina, all made
with milk only. Ripe juicy fruit, as grapes, peaches,
oranges, raspberries, but nothing at all acid, and no fruit
at all when there is diarrhoea, as in cases of typhoid fever.
In coJivalescence or chronic illnesses a more liberal
dietary may be allowed. Bread not too fresh, and not
containing alum or other impurities, biscuits, plum-
cakes, milk puddings, soup with barley or rice boiled
in it, beef-tea, chicken broth, mutton broth.
Meats. — Beef, mutton, tongue, game, pigeons, chickens,
sweetbread, tripe, the lean of ham, and for breakfast
bacon. These should not be partaken of cold, nor
done up a second time. The only exception is in the
cases of ham and bacon ; these may be taken cold.
The fat of bacon is the most digestible of all fats.
The finest bacon boiled, and eaten cold with toast or
stale bread, the lean very carefully cut away, is an
excellent breakfast diet.
84 DIPHTHERIA.
Fish. — Cod, haddock, whiting, sole, turbot, herring, and
salt fish after it has been well soaked in water : also
oysters, either raw, roasted in the shell, or boiled in soup.
Vegetables. — Potatoes, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower,
green peas or beans, asparagus, haricots.
Milk. — Raw or boiled, butter-milk, whey. When milk dis-
agrees the additionof a little salt often makes it digestible.
Drinks. — Pure chocolate or cocoa, weak black tea,
scalded milk (fresh milk with boiling water poured
into it in about equal proportions).
Other articles. — Butter, milk, cheese, cream, custard.
Salt and sugar must be taken only in moderation.
Of course, in prescribing a diet individual peculiarities
must be studied.
Forbidden Articles in Homoeopathic Dietary. —
When under homoeopathic treatment, there are certain
articles which patients must avoid, unless expressly
allowed by the physician :
The flesh of young animals ; liver, and internal organs
generally ; geese, ducks ; fat pork, roast pig ; eels,
crabs ; smoked or salt meat, sausages, mince-pies.
All highly seasoned soups and sauces.
Rich cake, pastry, honey; confectionery except barley-
sugar ; nuts of all kinds ; all fruit, except grapes, oranges,
peaches, sweet apples, pears, raspberries when properly
ripe, and of dried fruits, raisins, prunes, dates, figs.
Vinegar, and all things made with it ; pickles, aromatic
herbs, parsley, garlic, onions ; pepper, ginger, nutmeg
and flavouring.
Distilled or fermented liquors ; coffee, green tea ; lemon-
ade and acid drinks ; mineral waters.
Scents, perfumery, medicated tooth-powders.
Tobacco, except very moderately.
DIPHTHERIA. — This is a specific infectious disease,
which manifests itself in a peculiar ulceration of the
the throat and great general prostration and fever. The
DIPHTHERIA. 85
throat is covered with a dark-grey membrane, which
emits an exceedingly offensive odour. The contagious
principle is contained in the breath.
Diagnosis. — Diphtheria is distinguished from all other
throat affections by the presence of a dirty grey, tough
coating on the mucous membrane of the throat. There
is no other kind of sore throat which is accompanied
and followed by such grave constitutional symptoms.
The heart is very frequently affected, and almost
always weakened temporarily ; and for a long time
after the throat is well there is a danger of paralysis
coming on. This may affect any of the muscles of the
body, and sometimes attacks the heart.
General Treatment. — The great object is to keep the
patient nourished, and support the strength. Strong
beef-tea and milk, when it is tolerated, should be given
at frequent intervals. Patients suffering from it should
never be raised up from the recumbent position, except
with greatest care, as the prostration is so great it may
bring on fainting.
Medicines. — (Every few minutes to every hour or longer,
according to the urgency of the symptoms.)
Bry. — Great prostration; patient cannot bear to be moved;
complains of pains everywhere when moved; white
tongue ; dry mouth ; thirsts for large quantities of water.
Bell, — Restless; complains of sore throat, which looks
highly inflamed ; pupils large ; drowsy, but unable to
sleep ; starts suddenly out of sleep.
Lack. — After Bell. ; worse after sleep ; patches on tonsils,
worse the left side ; croupy symptoms ; patient cannot
bear to have anything touch the neck and throat.
Lye. — Throat brownish red ; worse right side ; worse from
swallowing warm drinks ; nose stopped up ; patient
cannot breathe with mouth shut ; keeps mouth con-
stantly open, slightly protruding the tongue, which
gives a silly expression ; unsteady step ; on awaking from
S6 DISTENSION.
short nap he is cross ; kicks ; is naughty (if a child) ;
or jumps up in bed, stares about, and knows nobody,
seemingly dreaming with open eyes ; frequent jerkings
of lower limbs, mostly with a groan, awake or slumber-
ing ; great fear of being left alone.
Rhus. — Restless ; wants to be carried about ; wakes com-
plaining of pain in throat ; bloody saliva runs out of
mouth during sleep ; parotid glands good deal swollen ;
transparent jelly-like discharges from bowels at stool or
afterwards.
Apis. — Great debility from the beginning ; membranes at
once assume dirtygreyish colour, or there is great oedema
of soft palate and much pufhness round the eyes ; pain
in ears on swallowing ; an itching, stinging eruption on
skin ; sensation of weakness in larynx ; numbness of
ieet and hands and even paralysis. {Apis is incompa-
tible with Rhus, and should not be given after it, nor
Rhus afte: Apis.)
Ignat. — Pain in throat worse when not swallowing ; re-
lieved by swallowing ; membrane more abundant on
right side ; much prostration ; sensation of lump or
marble in the throat.
Merc. — Tongue coated thickly, white or yellowish ; much
salivation ; glands swollen ; much membrane on tonsils.
DISTENSION.— This is a frequent symptom of weak
digestion, and where there are other symptoms the
case must be considered as a whole. When it is the
chief or only symptom, after the diet has been attended
to, and the dress — for modern dresses are made to
compress the lower ribs and deprive the stomach and
liver of the space they require — a remedy may be
selected.
Medicines. — (To be taken an hour before food.)
Card. v. — When the distension and distress are high
up in the body, affecting the chest, the flatulence passes
away by the mouth.
DIZZINESS— DREAMS. 87
Lycop. — Distension more in lower part of the body and
passes downwards. See also FLATULENCE.
DIZZINESS, OR VERTIGO.— Sometimes dizziness is a
symptom of some other disease, and in this case the
whole condition of the patient must be considered.
At times it is a disease in itself, and may be relieved
or removed by treatment.
General Treatment. — Those who suffer from vertigo
should lead regular lives, eat moderately and at regular
times, drink no alcoholic beverages, and not smoke.
Open-air exercise is very necessary.
Medicines. — (To be taken two or three times a day, or
often er when an attack comes on.)
Gels.— Simple giddiness.
Nux vom. — From disordered stomach.
Bell. — When turning over in bed, or on rising up from lying
down.
Nat. m. — When lying down ; in unhealthy subjects who
are always cold ; constipation.
China. — With noises in the ears and deafness.
Sulph. — When associated with hot head and cold feet j with
" sinking " at the stomach in the forenoon \ following
suppressed eruptions or discharges.
DREAMS. — Dreaming is natural to some persons in sleep.
Some never dream unless they are ill. Dreams may be
so unpleasant and persistent as to seriously injure the
health, and then the patient should be treated. Atten-
tion should be paid to diet, the meals taken regularly,
and nothing but digestible food.
Medicines. — (To be taken two or three times a day, the
last dose being at bedtime.)
Bell. — Anxious and frightful dreams.
Bry. — Dreams of business transacted during the day.
Arsen. — Anxious dreams, with feverishness.
See also NIGHTMARE.
88 DROPSY— DRUNKENNESS.
DROPSY. — When the blood-vessels give way and allow
fluid to be exuded from them into the tissues or cavities
of the body the condition is called " dropsy." Dropsy
may be an independent condition, or it may arise from
a number of causes, most frequently general weakness,
depraved state of the blood, heart disease, liver disease,
or kidney disease.
Dropsy may be local, affecting any limb or part of the
body, or it may be general. ' A moderate amount of
dropsy is not a matter of great importance. Many
weakly people without being actually diseased suffer
from constant swelling of the ankles. But if the same
symptom occurs when known disease is present, it is a
sign that the disease is advancing or that the system is
giving way under it.
The Treatment of dropsy will depend on the nature
and cause of it. See under ANEMIA, DEBILITY,
HEART, KIDNEYS, LIVER.
Dropsical limbs should be supported with light bandages,
and when oozing takes place linen rags smeared with
vaseline should be wrapped round and changed fre-
quently. When it is an independent disease, it must be
treated according to the symptoms of the patient.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Apis. — Will be found the most generally useful medicine.
Arsen. — If there is thirst, anxiety, great weakness.
Nat. m. — In chilly subject, with thirst, low pulse, con-
stipation, depression.
DROWNING. See APPARENT DEATH FROM.
DRUNKENNESS.— For a fit of drunkenness there is no-
thing better than to let the person sleep it off. Cold
water applied to the head or body will restore him more
quickly if it is necessary. Nothing but moral effort
will cure the habit. Drunkards should abstain from salt.
DYSENTERY. 89
Medicines.
Nux vom. — For the after-effects of fit of drunkenness.
It may be given every hour until the headache or other
reminders of the previous night are gone.
China. — (Being given in the strong tincture, five drops in
a wineglassful of water) is the best medicine when the
craving for drink comes on.
See also ALCOHOL HABIT and DELIRIUM TREMENS.
DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX.— Inflammation or
ulceration of the large intestines, with straining, and
sometimes discharge of mucus and blood, and scarcely
any real faecal matter. The disease often appears in
epidemics, affecting armies on the march, or travellers
in malarious districts ; it is endemic (a commonly occur-
ring disease) in certain parts, chiefly seaport towns in
hot latitudes, and mostly traceable to sanitary defects.
Diagnosis. — Dysentery cannot well be mistaken for
any other disease. In typhoid fever there is often pas-
sage of large quantities of blood, but in this case there is
much fever and absence of pain. In piles there is loss
of blood with stool, but the presence of piles is gene-
rally recognized, and the motions are of the ordinary
kind, the blood being separate.
General Treatment.— Whenever dysentery makes its
appearance see that the water is good, and if not cer-
tain about it have it first boiled and afterwards filtered,
the filter being a new one, or not long in use. All out-
houses must be carefully disinfected. It is also
necessary to guard against chills, for there may be the
conditions of dysentery present, and yet it may require
something such as a chill to determine an attack.
Unripe fruit must also be avoided. The diet must
be confined to gruel and farinaceous food, with as
much cold water as the patient likes. When he is
recovering, mutton broth may be given, and the re-
90 DYSPEPSIA.
turn to ordinary diet gradually permitted. In the
great straining that occurs sometimes during conval-
escence, injections, of linseed-tea are very soothing.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief is obtained, then less
often.)
Merc. — Greenish-looking matter mixed with blood ; more
straining after each motion than before.
Nux vom. — Much straining before and during stool ; great
relief after.
Merc. cor. — Severe colicky pains ; first much bile, and then
blood and slime, or light-coloured blood alone, or
nothing but slime.
Aeon. — After a chill ; heat ; thirst ; red face.
Coloc. — Extreme pains in the bowels ; patients double
themselves up ; stool slimy, sometimes mixed with
blood.
Sulph. — In all chronic cases which resist other medicines ;
much urging and ineffectual straining ; worse at night ;
aversion to beer, meat, milk, sweet and warm things,
malt liquors, and wine.
DYSPEPSIA, OR INDIGESTION.- The inability to digest
food is an accompaniment of many diseases. Acute
inflammations and fevers give rise to it, and organic
disease of the heart, liver, and stomach itself. In these
cases it is the original disease that needs attention, or
rather the whole condition of the patient. But indiges-
tion may be a disease in itself. The causes of it are
manifold, as badly cooked food or drink, over-indulgence
in wine or tea, or bodily excess of any kind. Abuse
of the sexual functions, especially self-abuse, so un-
happily common among boys, is a prolific source of
indigestion. Tobacco, unsanitary houses, poisonous wall-
papers, anxiety and worry, are accountable for many
cases of the disease.
Diagnosis. — Ulcer of the stomach and cancer of the
stomach both give rise to symptoms of indigestion ;
DYSPEPSIA. 91
but are attended with more violent pain and more
persistent vomiting ; and there is generally vomiting of
quantities of blood. In cases of cancer, if advanced,
a hardened mass may be felt about the region of the
pit of the stomach. Ulcer of the stomach is most fre-
quently met with in young women who are anaemic,
and also in persons who have sustained severe burns.
General Treatment. — This may be summed up very
shortly — wholesome feeding and wholesome manner of
life. For the first, the article on DIET may be referred
to ; for the second, every one must do the best he can.
There are many avoidable causes of dyspepsia, such as
bad habit*, which all may conquer if they will. Some
are dependent for their livelihood on injurious trades ;
these will have to make the best they can of their
situation, taking -such care as they can, and living
healthily when not actually at work. Dyspeptics should
avoid all food that has been preserved, cold meat, meat
cooked a second time, salted, pickled food, cakes, fruit
pies, acids. For drink, cold water or toast-water, or
weak black tea freshly made, with plenty of milk. If this
disagrees, scalded milk (milk with boiling water poured
into it in equal proportions).
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Nux vom. — Dyspepsia from dissipation and late hours ;
tongue coated brown at the back, mouth dry, heartburn,
flat taste in the mouth, constipation.
Puis. — When different kinds of food that do nut agree
with each other have been taken at the same time ;
after fat food, pork sausage, or fat mutton, or anything
fried in rancid butter, or pastry. Taste bitter, salt,
or putrid ; food tastes bitter ; distaste for tobacco.
Accumulation of mucus in the mouth ; scalding in the
throat ; eructation tasting of bile ; a feeling of acidity
or acridness in the stomach ; aversion to warm food ;
no thirst ; diarrhoea.
92 EARS.
Bry. — Stomach disordered; patient feels chilly j bowels
constipated ; tongue white or yellow \ weight at the
stomach as a load after meals.
Carb. v. — Everything turns to wind ; much pain in the
chest ; eructations j coldness ; blueness ; slow circulation.
Lycop. — Distension after food \ white moist tongue \ flatu-
lence in the bowels ; constipation.
Hydrast. — Yellow, slimy tongue ; " gone " sensation at
the stomach j constipation, or constipation alternating
with diarrhoea.
Sulph. — Tedious cases of dyspepsia. This medicine should
be given in infrequent doses. After the first, wait until
improvement ceases before repeating.
EARS. — The organ of hearing consists of three well-defined
portions— the Outer, visible ear with the tube leading
from it into the head. At the end of this passage is
the drum-head, or, as it is shortly but less correctly
called, the " drum " of the ear. This name should pro-
perly be given to the entire chamber behind the drum-
head, the " tympanic cavity," as it is called, or the Middle
Ear. Another tube (Eustachian) leads into this from the
throat, and when the throat is inflamed this is liable to
be blocked and to give rise to " throat deafness." Be-
hind the middle ear are two chambers — the Inner Ear —
containing the expansions of the auditory nerve, the organ
of hearing proper. These innermost chambers are shut off
from the middle earby small membranes closing the open-
ings into them, and are connected with the outer ear
by a chain of small bones connected with the drum on the
one side and these membranes on the other. Any one of
these portions of the ear may become affected, and result
in deafness ; and, on the other hand, a great change may
take place in the outer or middle ear and yet hearing
need not be lost. In a treatise of this kind only
the commoner of the ear-affections need be touched
EARS. 93
upon j for the graver kinds medical help will be
sought.
External Ear. — Sometimes the external ear and the
passage leading from it to the middle ear or drum
become inflamed and swollen. The commonest form
of this is the formation of pimples in the passage, which
give rise to intensepain.
General Treatment. — For general inflammation of this
visible part of the ear (pinna) there is little to be done in
the way of local treatment. When it affects the passage,
an elm-bark poultice, or else a slender piece of fat
ham inserted into the ear, will be found to give relief.
Warm applications generally are good.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief is obtained, then less
often.)
Bell. — Erysipelatous inflammation of the ear.
Rhus. — When the inflammation goes on to form vesicles,
or is eczematous.
Graph. — Inflammation behind the ear, especially if it
exudes a sticky secretion.
Hep. — Painful boils or pimples in the canal.
Foreign Bodies, or Insects in the Ear. — If an
insect has crawled into the ear, place the patient on
his side, and pour into the ear warm olive oil until the
canal is filled. The insect will float on the top of it,
and may be lifted off. When a bead, pea, cherrystone,
or some such object has been forced into the ear, it is
of the greatest importance to have it seen to at once
before inflammation has set in. A surgeon must be con
suited without delay, and if there is not one to be had
the greatest care and gentleness must be used in the
endeavour to extract the body. This may be done by
syringing with warm water if the stream can be made to
pass beyond the object. Or it may be done by means of a
pair of fine forceps. Or a hair-pin may be used. The free
94 EARS.
ends being stuck into a cork, while the bent end may
be passed into the ear so as to get behind the object,
which may then be drawn out. But no one who has
not a steady or a skilful hand should attempt to do this
operation, as much harm may result.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two according to urgency.)
Am. — If pain and inflammation remain after extraction.
Puis. — After Arnica. If the inflammation is great and
there is so much swelling that nothing can be got out.
Bell. — If there is pain, fever, and delirium.
Discharge. — An ear discharge may originate in the canal
of the ear, or in the middle ear or drum. It is usually
the latter. A discharge is an affection which may be of
very little consequence, but also it may be of very great
consequence, and should therefore never be neglected.
It is of most frequent occurrence in children. The
graver forms of ear discharge originate in inflam-
mation of the Middle Ear, with consequent rupture
of the drum : see Middle Ear. When the dis-
charge is established and there is no sign of active
inflammation left, the chief indications are to keep
the ear clean, to moderate the quantity of the
discharge, and when it cannot be arrested to im-
prove its quality. It is not always desirable to arrest
a discharge from the ears altogether ; and it may con-
sole some sufferers to know that deafness with an
ear discharge is much more likely to be cured than
deafness with a dry ear.
General Treatment. — The ear must be kept clean by
washing out very gently with a syringe. Warm water
containing a little borax (half a teaspoonful to a tea-
cupful) is the best wash to use. Care must be taken
to use no violence at all, but just enough force to send
the water into the canal in a continuous stream. After
the washing a little cotton-wool should be placed
lightly in the orifice to protect from cold.
EARS. 95
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Puis. — After measles and after small-pox. For swelling
of the neck-glands after suppression of discharge.
Bell. — After scarlatina, when accompanied by severe
headache.
Merc. — After scarlatina, following Bell., discharge offen-
sive, purulent, long lasting ; worse when warm in bed.
Ifepar. — In cases similar to those of Merc, when mercury
has been given already.
Sul ph. — After measles, following Puis.
Ear-wax. — Drop warm oil into the ear for several suc-
cessive nights and then syringe gently with warm water.
This will remove the wax without difficulty.
Middle Ear. — Inflammation of the tympanic cavity is
a common sequel to measles, scarlatina, and occasion-
ally to severe cold, and it commonly ends in suppu-
ration and discharge by rupture of the drum-head. This
is a membrane which readily heals, but when healing
is prevented by any cause there results a chronic dis-
charge. Sometimes the air-cells in the bony prominence
immediately below the ear become inflamed, and then
there is risk of the disease spreading to the brain and
causing abscess there.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept as
quiet as possible on light diet, and the ear kept warm.
A poultice of slippery-elm bark is the best application,
but any warm application is good. The pain is usually
great.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief, then at longer
intervals.)
Acoii. — Fever, restlessness, anxiety j as soon as the chill is
taken.
Puis. — After Aconite ; great pain.
Bell. — Pain in the ear ; throbbing headache ; flushed
face ; delirium ; hot skin.
Merc. — After the acute stage.
96 EARACHE.
Noises in the Ears. — These may be due to affection of
the internal ear, auditory nerve expansion, or to affec-
tions of the middle ear and its chain of bones. It is
generally amenable to treatment.
Nux vom. — From cold ; worse in the morning.
Puis. — Worse in the evening.
Merc. — In persons who perspire much; worse in the night.
China. — Buzzing, hissing, singing.
Sulph. — When the least noise (external) is intolerable.
See also DEAFNESS.
EARACHE. — Sometimes the ears are the seat of pain of
a neuralgic character and independent of inflammation.
Often, however, it is dependent on a slight cause, as con-
gestion from cold, and care should always be taken to
ascertain that no inflammation is present. The history
will be of assistance here ; those who have had earache
previously will recognize it by their own sensations.
Whenever the pain persists or is accompanied by fever
symptoms, inflammation is almost certainly present,
and medical aid should be sought.
General Treatment. — The chief thing to be done is
to keep the patient warm. The same local measures
as directed above, under Middle Ear, may be
adopted.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour until relief is obtained.)
Aeon- — When it follows a chill.
Puis. — Jerking tearing pains, as if something would be
pressed out. External ear hot and swollen, the pain
going through the whole side of the face. Especially
suited for blonde persons, inclined to tears.
Merc. — Especially in children ; sweating without relief ;
tearing extending to the cheeks, pricking deeply, tear-
ing, pressing, burning pain.
Sulph. — If the pain returns frequently ; is on the left side ;
aggravated in the evening or before midnight. After Merc.
ECZEMA. 97
Cham. — Simple acute stabbing pains ; patient very cross ;
pains intolerable ; aggravation by warmth.
Rhus. — Earache from getting wet or from suppressed
perspiration.
ECZEMA. — Eczema is a disease of the skin characterized
by the formation of minute watery vesicles which soon
break and leave a raw moist surface. Eczema is one
of the commonest of skin diseases, and many persons
are subject to it periodically, especially in the spring
and autumn. It is often an indication of the state of
the general health, and sometimes it acts as a relief to
the internal organs. Many patients watch for the
appearance of their eczema, as they know they will feel
better when it comes. All attempts, therefore, to heal
the eruptions without attention to the general health
should be carefully avoided. The disease should be
healed from within, or something worse will take its
place. Eczema is one of the commonest expressions
of the chronic disease called by Hahnemann Psora.
General Treatment. — In acute eczema it is advisable to
put the patient on an absolute milk diet, no other food
of any kind being given. In all cases the diet should
be regulated, and milk should form a principal part of
it. Sugar is bad for the disease and all rich food. Meat
should be taken sparingly ; green vegetables are good.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Rhus. — Acute eczema. (Rhus is apt to aggravate the
disease before curing it : if this should occur, wait until
the action of the first dose has ceased before repeating
it. After the aggravation has passed improvement will
set in : do not repeat the dose until the improvement
ceases.)
Sulph. — Irritation coming on when warm in bed at night.
Arsen. — Much redness of the skin, the patient is irritable
and anxious.
G
98 ECZEMA— ERUCTATIONS.
Graph. — When there is glutinous exudation.
Merc, — Weeping eczema ; in the bend of elbows and knees.
Hepar. — After Merc; in pustular cases \ sensitive subjects
that must be covered up and kept warm.
ECZEMA CAPITIS. See under INFANTS and MILK-
CRUST.
EMACIATION, ATROPHY, OR WASTING.— Many
diseases, acute and chronic, cause wasting of the
bodily tissues, but sometimes this cannot be traced to
any definite cause, and then it becomes itself a disease.
Diagnosis. — Great and increasing thinness, in the absence
of any discoverable cause : the diagnosis is arrived at
by ascertaining that all the organs of nutrition are in
good order and that the emaciation does not depend
on any organic defect.
General Teeatment. — As a matter of course the most
nourishing and digestible diet will be selected. When
the disease affects children they should be rubbed all
over at night with cod-liver oil, sleeping in a flannel
night-dress, the skin being washed with tepid water,
without soap, in the morning.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Iodine. — In general.
Arsen. — When there is fever, anxiety, restlessness.
Silk. — With great prostration and irritability. In rickety
children.
Lycop. — In constipated subjects, who suffer from flatu-
lence and acidity.
EPILEPSY. See CONVULSIONS.
ERUCTATIONS.— Belching up of food, fluid, or of gas
formed in consequence of imperfect digestion of food
in the stomach.
General Treatment. — See under DYSPEPSIA, and
DIET. Those who pass offensive flatus should not eat
eggs.
ERUPTIONS. 99
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Ipec. — Rising of food from disordered stomach ; tongue
coated.
Ant. tart. — Rising of food, with clean tongue.
Puis. — Eructation of food from overloading the stomach,
attended with bitter taste ; burning sensation remain-
ing in throat after vomiting.
Carl?, veg. — Great accumulation of gas ; often offensive.
Lycop. — Collection of wind under the left ribs ; difficult
to dislodge; constipation.
Cham. — Belching and flatulence ; " windy spasms " ; irri-
tability. (In these cases Cham, is best administered
in hot water.)
Sulph.— Acidity, belching, sinking sensation at stomach.
See also DYSPEPSIA.
ERUPTIONS. — Many diseases manifest themselves in
inflammatory affections of the skin. Certain fevers,
such as typhus, measles, scarlatina, small-pox, have
some of their most characteristic features in the
peculiar inflammations they cause in the skin. These
are examples of acute diseases. But chronic diseases
or disease-possibilities or tendencies ("diatheses"
as they are technically called) also manifest themselves
in appearances on the skin. The gouty, the scro-
fulous, the rheumatic constitutions often declare them-
selves in eruptions on the skin, and the patients
are frequently better in general health when these
eruptions are out. The skin may be affected locally
as well as constitutionally, but care should be taken
to treat patients constitutionally, and not locally, when
the disease is constitutional. Of eruptions the com-
monest are ACNE or PIMFLES, ECZEMA, ERYSI-
PELAS, ERYTHEMA, NETTLE-RASH, SHINGLES,
or " moist tetter," PSORIASIS or " dry tetter." and
the treatment of each of these will be found under its
proper heading.
ioo ERYSIPELAS.
ERYSIPELAS. — Acute, spreading inflammation ot the
skin, due to blood-poisoning ; often originating in a
small wound or sore. It sometimes goes on to the
formation of matter or blebs. It is attended with
much burning heat, and the digestion is disordered,
the tongue being loaded.
Erysipelas generally comes on with a shivering fit
and symptoms of indigestion. In this stage it cannot
be distinguished from many fevers and acute inflam-
mations, but very soon the rash appears, generally at
some part where there is a slight abrasion, often on
the face and near the nose. The eruption has sharply
defined borders, is red, raised, and at times has blis-
ters, and tends to spread. It is often accompanied
with great pain, a splitting, throbbing headache, nausea,
and vomiting. Often the face is swollen out of all re-
cognizable proportions. It may attack the throat. It
often follows surgical operations. Persons of all ages
are liable to it. Erysipelas may become chronic,
and it almost always leaves behind it a tendency to
recur.
Diagnosis. — When the rash is out, erysipelas cannot
easily be mistaken for anything else. Abscess near a
tooth with swelled face is something like, but the
swollen gum will reveal its true nature. Erythema is
less intense, the eruption is in spots and not con-
tinuous, and there is much less constitutional dis-
turbance.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept on
fever diet, all solid food being forbidden ; and the part
mast be kept from the air by dusting with flour.
Medicines. — (Every hour, or less often according to
urgency.)
Bell. — Smooth erysipelas ; heat, redness, burning, swell-
ing; headache; hot dry skin ; restlessness; delirium.
ERYTHEMA— EXCESSES. 101
Rhus. — If blisters form ; generally commences on right
side and goes to left ; patient is restless.
Apis. — Burning and stinging pain; much swelling; pa-
tients do not like to be touched ; are ill-humoured ;
cannot bear warm room. (Not to be given before or
after Rhus. )
Arsen. — When there is great prostration; tendency to
gangrene.
Hepar. — When there is suppuration.
Sulph. — Chronic and recurring erysipelas.
ERYTHEMA. — A diffuse redness and inflammation of the
skin, not due to blood-poisoning, like erysipelas, and
not tending to formation of pus.
It is sometimes accompanied by fever, and some-
times it is in raised spots {Erythe??ia nodosum}.
Erythema may appear on any part of the body, the
favourite site for the nodose variety being the legs, and
especially the front aspect of them. For the Diagnosis
between erythema and erysipelas, see ERYSIPELAS
General Treatment. — Rest and light diet.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Bell. — In almost all simple cases.
Rhus. — Great restlessness, patient cannot bear to be still.
Apis. — When there is much swelling (not after or before
Rhus).
Arnica. — If the eruption is dusky, or if there is a burning
sensation in the parts, and the patient fears to be
touched.
EXCESSES. — No person can indulge his appetites without
suffering the consequences in mind and body. The
appetites are not given to be indulged as if their
indulgence were an object in itself, but for ulterior
ends, as the nourishment of the body. Nothing
can be more pernicious than the belief too com-
io2 EXCESSES.
monly held that occasional excesses are good for
the body; a belief, unhappily, sometimes supported
by physicians who ought to know better. The
strength and sanity both of mind and body depend
on the virtues of temperance and chastity. Young
men cannot have this truth too strongly impressed
upon them, for it is in the period of youth that the
seeds of much after- trouble are sown. The treatment
of one of the chief kinds of excess— DRUNKENNESS
— is considered under that head. Of equal, if not of
greater moment, is the abuse of the organs of genera-
tion. This is often begun in childhood, from no fault
of the child's, but in consequence of an irritation in the
lower parts. Sometimes it is due to worms. Sometimes
to difficulty in making water in boys, owing to a narrow
orifice. The treatment for this is circumcision. Much
more often it is due to a habit learned at school. One
evil-minded boy or girl is capable of corrupting
numbers of others. Once acquired the habit is very
difficult to overcome. The symptoms are manifold.
Aches and pains in various parts; very obstinate indi-
gestion, with constipation generally; loss of courage,
manliness, and straightforwardness. Those addicted
to this habit can seldom look straight into another's
face. Excesses of adults, married or unmarried, are
no less injurious.
General Treatment. — The first thing of course is to
do away with the habit, and this is a question of
morals and religion. This done the effects remain.
For these the best general treatment is a regular,
wholesome life : early rising, morning cold bath,
plain food, -and open-air exercise. When indigestion
results, for treatment see under DYSPEPSIA.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
China. — The chief remedy.
EXCITEMENT— EXHAUSTION. 103
Nux vom. — Spare subjects; great depression; consti-
pation.
Sulph. — Heats and chills; hot head, and cold feet and
hands ; generally sinking sensation at the pit of the
stomach in the forenoon.
Nat. m. — Constipation; chilly subjects ; depression.
EXCITEMENT, EFFECTS OF.— Great excitement is apt
to cause disturbance of the circulation and feverish-
ness. Rest and quiet should be enjoined when
possible.
Medicines. — (Ever}- few minutes until relieved.)
Aeon. — Feverishness ; restlessness; sleeplessness.
Bell. — Headache ; flushed face.
Coffea. — Sleeplessness.
Cham. — Bilious derangement.
EXCORIATION (CHAFING).— In children some parts of
the skin, especially between the legs, is apt to become
raw. This is a skin affection, and is not a conse-
quence of washing.
General Treatment. — Use no soap. Wash the child
in plain warm water. Rain water is the best, and if
this is not obtainable, boiled water should be used.
Do not rub the parts, but mop them dry with very soft
cambric.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Cham. — This will suffice to cure in most cases.
Lyeop. — After Cham., sandy red urine ; constipation ;
flatulence.
Sulph.— Irritation, worse at night ; cold feet, hot head,
acidity.
EXHAUSTION.— This is apt to follow great exertion,
fatigue, or over-heating. For the effects of mental
exertion, see BRAIN FAG.
General Treatment. — For exhaustion from over-
104 EYELIDS.
heating, see SUNSTROKE. When it is due to fatigue
a cup of tea or a Turkish bath (failing that a hot bath)
are the best restoratives.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour until relieved.)
Am. — If there is a general bruised feeling.
Arsen. — Prostration.
Aeon. — Feverish symptoms ; hot skin ; rapid pulse ; rest-
lessness.
EYELIDS. — The three principal affections of the lids are
styes, concretions, inflammation of the margins, and
inflammation of the inner surfaces.
Styes are best treated by medicines alone, given every
few hours.
Puis. — At the beginning.
Hepar. — When suppuration occurs.
Calc. c. — When hard concretions are left behind.
Inflammation of the Margins. — This condition pro-
duces an unsightly redness of the margins of the eye-
lids, and is sometimes attended with 'great irritation
and turning-in of the eyelashes.
General Treatment. — Local applications are for the
most part injurious. A little vaseline may be applied
to the lids at night to prevent inflammation, and the
eyes may be bathed with warm milk.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Sulph. — When the lids are very red.
Calc. c. — After Sulph.
Inflammation of the Inner Surfaces. — This
may be acute, when it is associated with general inflam-
mation of the eye surface {conjunctivitis — the mem-
brane covering the eye and lining the lids being called
the conjunctiva), or it may be chronic (the condition
EYES. 105
known as granular lids) which is a consequence of
repeated acute attacks.
General Treatment. — Bathing with hot water and
anointing the margins of the lids with vaseline at night
are the simplest and safest local measures to adopt.
Medicines.
Aeon. — Red hard swelling, with burning heat and dry-
ness.
Apis. — Eyelids much swollen.
Sulph. — Violent burning ; mucus and matter exude.
Arsen. — Eyelids very painful ; eyes can scarcely be
opened.
Rhus. — Lids closed as if by spasm.
EYES. — The only diseases of the eye which can be dealt
with domestically are inflammation of the surface mem-
brane (conjunctiva) which covers the eyeball and also
the internal surface of the lids. The latter has been
dealt with under EYELIDS. " Inflammation of the
eye," popularly understood, includes two main kinds,
acute and chronic, the chronic being often due to
scrofula.
General Treatment. — The chief thing to be observed
is cleanliness. Many cases of chronic inflammation
of the eyes are due to the want of this. Frequent
bathing with hot water is useful in almost all cases.
Inflammation of the eyes in new-born children is a
very serious thing and demands immediate atten-
tion from the doctor and nurse. For this see under
INFANTS. When foreign bodies have got into
the eye care must be taken not to rub it. For
ordinary dust the best thing to do is to wash the
eye with water. Immersing the eye in a vessel con-
taining cold water and opening and shutting the lids
will get rid of it. If it is lime it should be washed
with vinegar and water, and afterwards bathed with olive
106 FACE.
oil. If it is a particle of iron it will have to be re-
moved by a surgeon.
Medicines. — (In acute inflammations every hour until
relieved ; in chronic cases two or three times a day.)
Aeon. — Acute inflammation of the eye from cold, or from
injury.
Bell. — When the eyes are quite dry and much affected
by light ; face red.
Puis. — Abundance of tears during the day ; whitish pro-
fuse bland discharge. In scrofulous children at the
beginning.
Merc. — Profuse excoriating flow of tears, and thin acrid
matter; pains in eyes worse at night; scrofulous inflam-
mation when the pains are worse from heat or cold.
Sulph. — In acute inflammation after Aeon. In chronic
scrofulous inflammation, eyelids almost closed ; light
very painful ; is blind during the day, and can only
see a little during twilight.
Calc. — Film on the clear part of the eye remaining after
inflammation.
Hepar. — Eyelids and eyes red and sore, lids close spas-
modically ; light intolerable in the evening ; pimples
about the eye ; eyes worse in cold and dry weather ;
better when wrapped up warmly.
See also BLINDNESS.
FACE. — The face may become spotty and the complexion
unhealthy from a variety of causes. Gout is answer-
able for some cases, and scrofula for others. Un-
wholesome occupations, and want of attention to
ordinary rules of healthy living. The period of adol-
escence is often marked by an eruption of pimples.
General Treatment. — When the spots depend on
some chronic disorder like gout, constitutional treat-
ment will be required. Plain regular living and
plenty of open-air exercise are the best remedies in
FACEACHE— FAINTING. 107
general. The worst thing that can be done (after
cosmetics) is to take "tonics" and "blood-purifying"
mixtures indiscriminately. The use of face powder
of all kinds is injurious. When the skin of the face
is tender, no soap of any kind should be used to it.
Plain water is generally enough, and if anything more
is desired, Fuller's- earth is the best.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Arseji. — Scurfy eruptions round the mouth.
Kali c. — Blotches and roughness of the skin produced by
cold winds.
Nat. m. — Earthy complexion, unhealthy-looking; patients
who are generally chilly and of a constipated habit.
Sep. — " Liver-spots."
See also ACNE.
FACEACHE. — By this term is meant neuralgia of the face,
which is frequently dependent on bad teeth. When
that is the case, the treatment for TOOTHACHE must be
adopted. When faceache is independent of any affec-
tion of the teeth, the following remedies will be found
successful.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relieved.)
Aeon. — Heat and redness of the face ; agitation ; restless-
ness.
Bell. — Pains suddenly appearing and suddenly disap-
pearing. More violent under the eye, and affecting
cheekbones, nose, jaws ; convulsive twitches and jerks.
Right side generally affected.
Arsen. — Attacks periodic ; burning pains ; anguish and
restlessness \ prostration j pains relieved by heat.
Spig. — Various shooting burning pains in all directions,
worse from mution or noise. Left side most affected.
FAINTING. — The significance of fainting depends alto-
gether on the patient in whom it occurs, and the cause
which induces it. If it occurs suddenly in a patient
108 FALLS— FEAR.
who is not specially nervous, and from no apparent
cause, it may indicate grave disease, which will
need the attention of a medical man. If a patient is
known to faint easily on slight provocation, an attack
is much less serious.
General Treatment. — The best thing for bystanders
to do when a patient faints, is to retain their self-pos-
session. There is very little necessary to be done.
Place the patient flat on the floor and loosen any articles
that may be tight about the neck and chest ; a little
cold water may be sprinkled on the forehead. When
the cause is known, the proper remedy may be selected
and a few drops placed between the teeth.
Medicines. — (Every few minutes until reaction occurs ;
or two or three times a day to correct the tendency.)
Aeon. — Fever or pain.
Coffea. — From excessive joy.
Opium. — From fright, reproach, violent scolding, taking
offence.
China. — From loss of blood.
Ignat. — After sudden emotions.
Verat. — After violent pain, driving the patient to distrac-
tion.
FALLS.— The chief effects of falls are shock, bruises, sprains,
and fractures. When bones are broken skilled aid
must be called in. For BRUISES and SPRAINS con-
sult the articles under those headings.
FATIGUE. ^EXHAUSTION.
FEAR AND FRIGHT.— The consequences of fear and
sudden fright are often most serious, and the senseless
practice of practical joking cannot be too sternly con-
demned. Diarrhoea, fever, convulsions, and even mental
derangement are frequently met with as consequences
of fright.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour, or according to urgency.)
FEET. 109
Aeon. — Fright with vexation ; difficult breathing, and
violent pains in the pit of the stomach.
Opium. — Immediately after fright ; if still fearful ; faint-
ness j twitching of limbs ; involuntary passage of water
with stool ; fits ; perspiration and red face.
Bell. — Great agitation remaining after fits (after Opium) ;
derangement of mind ; blood rushes to the head ; face
red, burning hot ; patient cannot bear anything about
the neck ; sleepless ; raving mad ; would run away ;
fears imaginary things.
Ignat. — Fits, if the patient becomes very pale ; twitching
of the limbs; stiffness of the back j if the fright is
followed by sadness or grief.
Puis. — Diarrhoea.
Verat. — Involuntary evacuations, patient cold and trem-
bling ; fear of special things.
Stram. — Children, fear to go to bed in the evening.
Arsen. — Fear of being alone.
Puis. — Afraid of people.
FEET : Sore. — When the feet become sore from walking,
if they are much blistered, bathe them with hot water
in which a few drops of the strong tincture of arnica
have been mixed. Arnica should be taken internally.
When there are blisters they should be kept unbroken
as long as possible. If it is impossible to rest apply
some simple grease, such as suet or lard, to cover the
part, and when the patient can rest he should apply a
wet cloth, and take Cepa.
Cold. — The best remedy for cold feet is exercise. But
when the condition is constitutional no amount of
exercise will keep them warm when not in action.
Medicines.
Card. v. — Blueness and tendency to chilblains.
Secale. — Numbness and cramps along with the coldness.
Nat. m. — In chilly subjects ; constipation.
no FELON— FEVER.
Calc. c. — Cold, clammy feet ; always feel as if stockings
were damp.
Sulph. — Cold feet and hot head.
Perspiration. — This is a very troublesome affection,
but it should never be suppressed by external means, as
this will be certainly followed by something much worse.
It is a constitutional affection and demands consti-
tutional remedies.
General Treatment. — The best thing the patient can
do is to lay in a large supply of hose, which should be
changed once or twice a day, the feet being washed in
plain warm water, to which a little Condy's fluid may be
added, if there is any offensive odour, every evening.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Sulph. — At the commencement. It may be sufficient to
cure the case, or it may be required after others have
been given for a time.
Silk. — After Sulphur. The perspiration is fetid.
Petrol. — Perspiration with tenderness of the feet.
Calc. — Cold clammy perspiration.
FELON. See WHITLOW.
FESTER, Tendency of Slight Wounds to. — When
wounds refuse to heal, and when slight injuries always
suppurate, give Hepar two ©r three times a day.
FETID BREATH. See BREATH.
FEVER. — The normal temperature of the body is 98.40 01
the Fahrenheit scale. When it rises above this there is
fever. Slight fluctuations are not of any great conse-
quence, but if it rises above ioo° there is cause for a
certain amount of anxiety to ascertain the cause, and
when above 1040 there is ground for alarm. It is not
often that patients recover after the temperature has
registered 1060.
FITS— FL ATULEN C Y. 1 1 1
Fever may be due to many causes. It may be
simple fever and due to cold, disordered stomach, or
mental emotions. The infectious fevers are due to
blood-poisoning, the poison being the contagious prin.
ciple of the fever. Ague and malarial fevers arise from
poisoning with marsh miasm. Inflammations of all
kinds are attended with more or less fever, but in this
case the fever is only symptomatic. The specific fevers
will be dealt with under their own headings. I only
speak here of Simple Fever.
Simple Fever. — This may be the result of a chill, of
overloading the stomach, or of fright. The temperature
seldom rises very high. There may be headache, rest-
lessness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept quiet
and have plenty of water to drink. The diet must be
of the lightest. No solid food must be given, and when it
is the result of overloading the stomach no food at all for
a day or two until the stomach is right.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Aeon. — Most cases of simple fever, especially following a
chill or fright. Heat, restlessness, thirst, anxiety are
the leading indications.
Bell. — Flushed face; dry mouth and throat ; headache.
Bry. — Fever with disordered stomach, white tongue,
bitter taste in mouth, vomiting.
Bapt. — Bilious fever ; loaded tongue ; heavy dull appear-
ance; diarrhoea.
FITS. See CONVULSIONS.
FLATULENCY.— (For stomach flatulence, which finds relief
in eructations, see ERUCTATIONS).— Gas may accu-
mulate in the intestines from decomposition of the food
which is improperly acted on by the digestive juices.
This is especially the case when improper articles of
food are taken, or foods that do not agree well with each
1 1 2 FLOODING— FRACTURES.
other. With some patients it does not matter what
kind of food they take, the same thing results. Some-
times it almost seems as if the mucous membrane of
the intestines secreted air, the accumulation is so great.
General Treatment. — When it can be clearly traced
to errors of diet, these should be rectified or avoided.
Eggs, green vegetables, potatoes, peas, and all kinds of
pulse are decidedly flatulent in their tendency, and
should be avoided or only taken in great moderation.
Cold meat will often produce flatulence when hot
meat will not.
Medicines. — (Every hour when the condition is trouble-
some. Two or three times a day when taken as a
course.)
Cham. — Swelling of the body, pinching about the navel,
passage of offensive flatus without relief.
Puis. — After eating fat or rich food. Wind rolls about
the body.
Nux vom. — From indigestible food ; in choleric persons.
Lycop. — Much rumbling in the body; tightness after
meals ; thick, sandy urine.
Sulph. — In chronic cases ; acidity ; fainty spells ; sinking
at the pit of the stomach in the forenoon.
FLOODING AFTER LABOUR. See CHILDBIRTH.
FRACTURES.— When an accident has resulted in the
breaking of a bone, it will be necessary to consult a
medical man if possible. But when no medical aid
is at hand, it is well to know the best thing to be
done. The bones most liable to fracture are the long
bones of the limbs, the ribs, and the skull. Fracture
of the skull can only be dealt with by skilled persons.
Until skilled help can be obtained, the patient must
be kept perfectly quiet, and the wound, if there is one,
kept clean. When a long bone of a limb is broken,
there are two things to be done: first, to bring the
FRACTURES. 113
broken ends of the bone properly together (or, in
other words, to get the limb into its natural position
and shape); and, secondly, to keep it there until the
bones are strongly united. If, as sometimes happens,
there is no displacement of the broken ends of the
bones, the second indication is all that remains to fulfil.
When there is displacement of the broken ends, strong
traction must be made at the two extremities of the limb
to overcome the action of the muscles, until the broken
ends, which generally slip beside one another, are
brought to a level j then, by a little manipulation,
they can be brought together, the traction being kept
up until this is effected. This done there remains to
put on the splints, which are really temporary external
bones applied to do the duty of the internal bone
until it is able to do it itself. Splints may be made of
wood or any firm material that may be at hand. They
should be carefully padded to the shape of the limb,
and should not press unduly on any bony prominence.
They may be fixed, in the first instance, by strips of
adhesive plaister, and over this a roller bandage. If the
fracture is what is called " compound " (i.e., if there
is an external wound as well), an opening must be left
to allow of the wound being dressed without removing
the splints. Many fractures are firmly united in from
four to six weeks. The only kind of fracture that can
be more particularly dealt with here is fracture of a rib.
The ribs on each side of the broken one act in a
measure as splints, but additional support can be given
by strapping the side of the chest affected with long and
broad strips of adhesive plaister. They should be
fixed firmly near the spinal column, and brought round
in a forward and upward direction. The lower ones
should be placed on the chest first, and should be made
to come a few inches below the break, gradually ap-
proaching the spot; the upper ones should cover the spot
H
1 1 4 FRIGHT— GALL-STONES.
where the break is, and a little space above. Over the
strapping a broad flannel roller may be placed to give
further support. The patient must be kept at rest, lying
down, and encouraged to breathe with the diaphragm
and abdominal muscles (abdominal breathing, as it is
called). A light dietary is necessary in cases of fracture
where the patient is unable to take recreative exercise.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Aco?i. — Immediately after the accident, if the patient is
weak or faint.
Am. — After aconite, or at first if there are no other
indications. Much bruising.
Cham. — If the pain is unbearable, and nervous symptoms
supervene.
Hypericum. — After Cham, if that does not suffice.
Calc. Phos. — If the bone fails to unite.
FRIGHT. See FEAR.
FROG. See THRUSH.
FROST-BITE. See CHILBLINS.
GALL-STONES. — These are hard concretions formed from
the bile and found in the gall-bladder. They vary in
size from that of a small pea to that of a bean. They
may cause no trouble, and are often found after death
in patients who have never felt inconvenience from
them. But sometimes they cause excruciating pain in
their passage from the gall-bladder by the bile-duct
into the intestines.
Diagnosis. — The pain of passing gall-stones (biliary
colic, as it is called) must be distinguished from other
kinds of pain in the body. It differs from all inflam-
matory affections by the absence of fever and of any
history of chill. It comes on suddenly, and remains
limited to a small area, just below the free ribs on the
GANGLION. 115
right side ; and is generally accompanied by symptoms
of liver derangement, as jaundice or white stools.
The discovery of gall-stones in the motions when an
attack is over settles the diagnosis, and when a patient
has had one attack there is no difficulty in diagnosing
those that follow.
General Treatment. — The usual method of treating
attacks of biliary colic, is to give the patient opium,
and so dull the pain until the stone has passed. But
homoeopathy offers a much better mode of treatment,
not only for the actual attack but also for the con-
dition.
Medical Treatment.
Calc. c. 30. — Mix ten drops in half a tumbler of water,
and let a teaspoonful of this be taken every five
minutes during an attack, until the pain abates. When
the attack is over, let the patient take one drop of the
medicine night and morning for a month.
Chi?i. 6. — In the same way, should Calc. c. not succeed.
GANGLION. — A small swelling on the back of the wrist or
hands, connected with the sheath of a tendon, and
containing synovial fluid (joint oil) and sometimes
seed-like bodies. They are sometimes attended with
pain, but usually give more trouble by their un-
sightliness.
General Treatment. — The usual method of treating
this affection is by crushing the swelling. The hand
is placed on a table, and on the tumour a book : this
is struck sharply, and the sac containing the fluid
bursts. The fluid is then absorbed. This treatment
is not always successful, for the swelling may re-form,
and inflammation may follow the operation. Another
method is by puncturing and drawing off the fluid ;
but this is much more dangerous, and should never be
permitted. The best treatment is by
n6 GATHERINGS— GERMAN MEASLES.
Medicine.
Ac. Benz. 3X. — This should be taken persistently three
times a day, and the lump painted with it at bedtime.
GATHERINGS. See ABSCESS, BREAST, WHITLOW.
GERMAN MEASLES (ROTHELN).— This is an epidemic
fever, which partakes of the character of both measles
and scarlatina, but is quite distinct from both, and does
not protect the patient who has once had it against
either, but only against a future attack of itself. It is
not such a severe disease as either measles or scarla-
tina, but it is just about as infectious. It has the
same incubation period as measles. The fever sets in
about ten days after infection. It begins with the
symptoms of cold, like measles, but the sore-throat is
more like that of scarlatina, and the glands in the
neck are sooner affected than in either of the other two.
The rash appears first on the face as in measles (not on
the chest, as in scarlatina), and consists of bright red
rounded spots, which soon run together. They are not
grouped in circular patches, as in measles. The rash
does not remain as long, and fades from the upper part
as it travels downwards. The fever is not as high, and
may be all over in two or three days. It is apt to
recur, however, and the rash to reappear with it.
There is no peeling of the skin, such as follows
scarlatina.
General Treatment. — The important thing is to be
sure of the disease. It is not always easy to distin-
guish it from measles or scarlatina, and for the
patient's sake and the friends a mistake may have
serious consequences. The patient must be isolated,
the room cleared of all superabundant furniture and
carpets, and well ventilated and warmed. The diet
must be of the lightest — water, barley-water, toast-
water, milk if the patient likes it, and beef-tea.
GIDDINESS. 117
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Bell. — The most generally useful in the acute stage.
Merc. — If the throat symptoms are urgent, and the glands
remain swollen.
Sulph. — When the fever has gone.
China. — When convalescence is established.
GIDDINESS OR VERTIGO.— Giddiness may be an affec-
tion of itself or it may be a symptom of some other
disease, such as heart disease, apoplexy, and affections
of the nerves of hearing. Those who have any ten-
dency to these diseases should take warning when
giddiness appears and seek medical aid ; but when
there is nothing of this accompanying it, giddiness,
though troublesome, and alarming, is not necessarily a
dangerous disease. When there is fainting with the
giddiness the article on FAINTING must be referred
to for the treatment. Giddiness often appears in con-
nection with affections of the stomach and digestion ;
and it may be of this nature even when there are no
active symptoms of indigestion present.
Diagnosis. — In order to distinguish giddiness that is
purely functional — that is to say, not connected with
disease of the brain, heart, or any of the organs — it is
necessary to examine these organs and see that there
are no other signs or symptoms present of their being
diseased. Simple giddiness is not attended with the
same constitutional weakness as giddiness from heart
disease ; the giddiness which accompanies a slight
apoplectic seizure is followed by transient weakness of
one or other limb or part of the body. When giddi-
ness follows a hearty meal it is always an alarming
symptom.
General Treatment. — Attention must be paid to the
general health; late suppers, hot, crowded rooms,
stimulants, and tobacco must be avoided. Habits of
n8 GLANDULAR SWELLINGS.
early rising and retiring, and open-air exercise should
be cultivated.
Medicines. — (Every fifteen minutes during an attack
until relieved ; three times a day as a preventive).
Gels. — Simple giddiness. A medicine of wide range.
Am. — When giddiness comes after a hearty meal.
Nux v. — When due to disordered stomach j with con-
stipation; in nervous, irritable subjects; from close
thinking • from looking up.
Puis. — After eating rich food j from looking up ; when
sitting.
Bell. — With sparkling light before the eyes ; vertigo on
turning over in bed ; on rising up from lying down ;
after stooping.
Calc. c. — On rising after sleeping ; after suppression of
old ulcers.
Nat. ?n. — Giddiness coming on when lying down.
Sulph. — After suppression of ulcers or eruptions ; with
. bleeding at the nose.
Merc. — Dizziness only in the evening; accompanied by
dimmed sight.
Cocc. ind. — Giddiness like sea-sickness; when sitting
upright in bed.
Chin. — Giddiness with deafness, or roaring in the ears.
GLANDULAR SWELLINGS.— Glands may become affected
from accidental or constitutional causes ; and persons
who are constitutionally susceptible to gland affec-
tions (those, for example, who suffer from scrofula)
are more liable to be influenced by the accidental
causes than others. For instance, scarlatina very fre-
quently causes inflammation of the glands of the neck :
in a non-scrofulous child the inflammation is more
likely to subside without going on to abscess than in
one who is scrofulous.
The swelling occurring in glands may be either acute
or chronic. If it is acute it will probably go on to form
GOUT. 119
an abscess (see under ABSCESS); if it is chronic it
may remain hard and large for a long time and run
into a chronic abscess or ulceration.
General Treatment. — For acute inflammation see under
ABSCESS. When the swelling is chronic maintain the
general health. Give cod-liver oil, and if not taken well
internally, rub it in externally j in any case it is well to
rub it into the parts where the swollen glands are.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Bell. — At the commencement, redness, swelling, and
pain.
Baryta carb. — After Bell. In scrofulous cases, slow, hard
swelling.
Hepar. — Suppuration impending; glands in the armpits
affected.
Calc. c. — In scrofulous cases ; fat, pale, fair children,
with hot and perspiring heads, and cold, clammy feet.
Sulp/i. — When in connection with eruptions ; patients
worse at night in bed ; sanguine temperament.
Arsen. — In thin, weakly subjects ; anxiety, restlessness,
and thirst.
GOUT. — Gout is a constitutional disease, which manifests
itself in various ways, the most characteristic being what
is termed " a fit of the gout," or inflammation of a joint,
usually that of the great toe. In gouty persons there
is a tendency to accumulation of uric acid in the
blood in consequence of some fault in the digestive
process. The tendency is a result of wine-drinking and
high living, and once set up is often transmitted
to descendants. Much of the gout of to-day is the
result of the sins of past generations. Gout does not
always show itself in joint inflammation (podagra). It
often selects the skin, and sometimes internal organs
and the throat. The skin and the great toe are the
safest places for it to attack.
i2o GOUT.
Diagnosis. — There is not much difficulty about the
diagnosis of a fit of the gout. The patient after the
first attack knows it very well. The sudden onset of
violent pain in a joint, the absence of fever, the
irascibility of the patient, distinguish gout from any
purely inflammatory affection. In persons who are
gouty anything that lowers their normal condition is apt
to set up gout ; and if they take any ordinary inflamma-
tion it is modified by the patient's constitution. Gout
is peculiarly liable to fly from place to place. If a
severe inflammation in one part suddenly disappears
and reappears in another, the probabilities are that the
disease is gout in one of its multitudinous forms.
General Treatment. — Far more than any other persons
abstemious living is necessary for the gouty. The only
safe rule to make in regard to alcohol is to abstain from
it altogether. Port wine and malt liquors are especially
bad. Meat should be taken not oftener than once a
day. Too much starchy food is not good either. Milk,
bread, pulse, green vegetables, should form a large part
of the dietary. In an attack of gout the diet must be
very plain : plenty of cold water to drink, and the part
affected must be kept warm and supported. On no
account must cold water be applied to this : it may
relieve the pain at the expense of setting up gout
internally, with possibly fatal results.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour in the attack. When
given constitutionally, three times a day.)
Aeon. — When there is much fever.
Nux vom. — In wine and brandy drinkers ; irascible.
Puis. — Pain flying about from joint to joint ; disordered
stomach.
Rhus. — When the patient cannot keep the limb still.
Sulph. — Whenever the complaint drags. In chronic gout
a course of sulphur will almost always do good.
GRAVEL— GRIEF. 121
GRAVEL. — When the digestion is properly carried on, all
the constituents of the urine are soluble, but when the
digestion and tissue change is imperfect, waste products
are apt to accumulate, and one of the great outlets for
them is the kidneys. Ordinarily the solid constituents
of the urine are washed away by the flow into the
bladder as gravel, but sometimes they accumulate in
the kidney itself, and form stones of larger or smaller
size. The small ones may pass away, but the larger
ones remain, and if they increase in size they may
eventually cause destruction of the kidney. The smaller
stones {calculi) in their passage into the bladder from
the kidney occasion great pain {renal colic), analogous to
that caused by the passage of gall-stones {biliary colic).
General Treatment. — The treatment of the condition
which results in gravel consists chiefly in attention to
the general health and diet. Some patients are always
better in health when they pass gravel, which means
that when they do not pass it the effete matters are still
in the blood. When they do, these matters are being
got rid of by the kidneys. But if digestion and tissue-
change are perfectly performed, there should be none
to secrete. Those subject to gravel are generally of
gouty constitution, and the regimen recommended for
Gout is equally applicable here.
Medicines. — (Four times a day.)
Lycop. — Red sediment ; flatulence of the bowels ; dis-
tension after food.
Sep. — Pasty sediment, reddish or white.
GREEN SICKNESS. See ANEMIA.
GRIEF AND SORROW.— The emotions have great effect
on the nutrition of the body, just as the bodily health
has much to do with producing disorder of the emotions.
The remedy for the effects of grief is the moral one,
and without this medicines cannot be expected to do
122 GUMS.
much; they can, however, remedy the first sudden
consequences of grief.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two, according to urgency
and necessity).
Ignatia. — Silent, inward grief, preying upon the mind ;
from misplaced affection in lovers ; vomiting, pains in
the stomach, giddiness ; fits resulting from grief or
mortification.
Sulph. — Sleeplessness after grief (one dose at bedtime).
Bell. — Deranged intellect from grief, things appear dark,
black, or double.
Hyoscy. — If jealous, violent or delirious ; intellect de-
ranged, things appear larger than they are ; home-
sickness, patient cannot sleep.
Merc. — Patient very weak, trembling, uneasy, agitated,
particularly during the night, perspiring all night ;
things appear dark, black, or doable.
Plat. — Contempt of persons formerly loved, with tempta-
tion to kill ; objects appear smaller. If grief brings on
the monthly discharge, increases or checks it, or brings
on other symptoms with it.
GUMS. — The gums require almost as much attention as the
teeth. Loss of teeth depends as much on the state
of the gums as on that of the teeth themselves. When
the gums atrophy or ulcerate the teeth become loose
and are no longer useful. The gums should be firm a~nd
pale pink. When they become red and tender they are
diseased. They ought to be able to bear brushing
almost as well as the teeth themselves. Tartar is very
destructive to the gums ; there is a popular notion that
it is dangerous to remove tartar from the teeth, as it in
some cases supports them. This is an absurd idea.
Once formed it is always increasing, and the gums recede
before it, leaving the roots of the teeth no support, but
only the covering of tartar. Among the causes of ulcera-
HEMORRHAGE— HAIR. 1 23
tion of the gums is the use of crude wood-charcoal
dust. The fine parts of the charcoal penetrate through
into the gum tissues, and set up inflammation and finally
ulceration. The best material for cleansing both teeth
and gums is soap, and of all soaps the finest Castile
soap is the best. Coffin's American Dentifrice is an
excellent preparation of this kind, containing, in addi-
tion, polishing material for the enamel of the teeth. All
medicated tooth powders are objectionable, and espe-
cially for those who are taking homoeopathic medicines.
General Treatment. — All food that tends to create
acidity, such as sweets, and rich, fat foods, should be
avoided. Also meat should only be taken sparingly.
The teeth should be cleaned and the mouth washed
after each meal, care being taken not to irritate the
inflamed parts of the gums. When tartar has accumu-
lated, it should be removed, if necessary, by a dentist.
Medicines. — (Three times a day).
Merc. — This is useful in almost all cases — inflammation,
bleeding, ulceration, falling away from the teeth.
Sulph. — This may be given for a time after Mercurius,
if the latter appears to be losing its effect.
Ac. 7iit. — If much mercury has already been taken.
HEMORRHAGE. See BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE,
DYSENTERY, MENSTRUATION, PILES.
HAIR. — Falling out of the hair is a frequent sequel of acute
diseases, especially fevers. But then the loss is only
temporary, and it grows again when convalescence is
complete. Early loss of hair is often constitutional and
hereditary, and sometimes it is due to affection of the
hair bulbs by disease. Ringworm rarely attacks the
heads of adults, though it does occur on their faces
and body. There is, however, a disease in which the
hair falls out in spots {Alopecia areata), which is not
the same disease as ringworm, and is not known to be
i24 HANDS, CHAPPED.
parasitic. Usually the hair grows again as vigorously
as before.
General Treatment. — With most people the scalp
secretes only matter enough to keep the hair glossy and
soft, and in this case there is no need for hair grease of
any kind. The head should be washed with soap once
every two or three weeks, and oftener if the secretion
of the sebaceous glands is very profuse. But too
frequent washing impoverishes the hair. When the hair
falls off rapidly, and is not replaced, the following hair-
wash will be found of great use. Take of
Oil of almonds . . one ounce;
one ounce;
one drachm ;
half-drachm ;
ten drops ;
two ounces,
six ounces.
Olive oil .
Strong liquor ammoniae
Tincture of cantharides
Essence of bergamotte
Spirit of wine
Distilled water to .
A little of the wash to be rubbed into the hair roots
every night.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day).
China. — When the hair falls out from debilitating causes.
Merc. — From profuse perspiration.
Hepar. — In chronic gouty headache with sensitiveness of
the scalp.
Kali c. — When the hair is dry and feels like hay.
Ac. Phos. — After depressing emotions.
HANDS, CHAPPED.— Most persons who have delicate
skins are liable to have the hands chapped from cold in
the winter. The best preventive of this is the rubbing
in of glycerine in some form, either pure or as gly-
cerine jelly. With some skins Vaseline Cold Cream
serves as well, and is a cleaner preparation. If the
fissures are very deep and painful paint them with
Friar's Balsam at night.
HANDS, PERSPIRING— HEADACHE. 125
HANDS, PERSPIRING.— For cold, clammy hands there
is no local remedy that is of any avail. The patient
must be treated constitutionally.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Calc. c. — To begin with in general.
Sulph. — After Calc. c. ; and where the patient is subject
to eruptions. See CONSTITUTIONS.
HAY FEVER (HAY ASTHMA).— This is an affection due
to the entrance of the pollen of grass into the air-
passages, producing local and general symptoms —
sneezing, catarrh, congestion of the eyes, headache,
oppression of the breathing, prostration, and fever.
It is a most tormenting and inveterate complaint with
those who are liable to it, and disables them for several
weeks every year.
General Treatment. — The chief indication is to keep
out of the way of the hay, if possible ; but that is by
no means easy. Grass is everywhere, and the largest
cities cannot escape. The pollen grains find their way
everywhere, and, as Dr. C. H. Blackley has shown, a
miraculously infinitesimal quantity is sufficient to set
up the attack. A sea voyage is the best escape.
Medicines can do much here, both curatively and
prophylactically.
Medicines. — (Every two hours during an attack ; then
twice a day as prophylactic.)
Arse?i. — As a prophylactic for a few weeks before the
hay season sets in. Also for the fully developed
disease, especially when there is much prostration.
Aeon. — Much fever, restlessness, thirst.
Sulph. — After Aconite, when the symptoms do not yield.
HEADACHE. — There are very few people who do not
know from experience what a headache is, and yet
it is by no means an easy matter to give a rational
explanation of the complaint. Some headaches seem
126 HEADACHE.
to affect one tissue and some another ; some
appear to be located in the brain itself, and some
in its membranes or some particular nerves ; some
are accompanied by symptoms of congestion, and
some by those of want of blood ; and others again
seem entirely independent of any disturbance of
the circulation. It is not of much assistance
to invent theories about " nerve storms," which
is merely another way of stating the facts already
too well known to those who experience them, and
gives no help at all in dealing with them. The main
facts about headaches that are made out are these :
They are often hereditary, descending from parent to
child through generations ; they are often an expres-
sion of some constitutional disease, such as gout and
rheumatism ; they are often connected with weak
digestion and with disease of any internal organs.
These facts supply us with means of classifying the
different kinds of headaches, and give us indications
for their treatment, and I shall, therefore, give a de-
scription of the principal forms. It must be under-
stood that several forms are often combined in one
headache. For instance, a rheumatic person may be
also nervous, and suffer from diseased stomach and
constipation, and all three elements may be found in
the attack of headache from which he may be suffering.
In this case that element which seems to bear the
leading part in it must be taken as the chief guide for
prescribing.
Congestive Headache. — The symptoms of this kind ot
headache are a feeling of fulness and throbbing in the
head, bursting of the arteries in the neck and generally
flushing of the face. The pain may go on to cause
vomiting. All movement makes the pains worse, also
lying down ; standing often relieves them. Headache
from exposure to the sun is generally of this kind.
HEADACHE. 127
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept very
quiet, with the head raised. The application of hot
flannels will more often give relief than cold applica-
tions ; but if heat fails to relieve, cold must be tried.
Vinegar cloths applied to the temples are also useful.
Hot foot-baths are at times very efficacious.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour until relief is obtained,
and then less often. This applies in all kinds of head-
ache.)
Glonoin. — Attack sudden. The blood is felt rising up
into the head, with severe beating, as if bruised ; worse
by shaking the head ; pulse rapid j face and eyes red ;
or eyes staring and face pale and moist ; buzzing in
the ears. Headache from exposure to the sun.
Aeon. — Pain very severe, with burning sensation over the
whole head, particularly in the forehead ; face red and
bloated ; eyes red. (Vinegar antidotes Aconite, so
all applications of vinegar should be left off before
aconite is given.)
Bell. — After Aconite; pain deeper seated, oppressive
and heavy, and the face pale and haggard ; uncon-
sciousness, incoherent talking, murmuring, drowsiness.
Pals. — Pain dull, oppressive, on one side only; harassing
and weakening j eyes feel as if they would be forced
out of the head ; commencing at back part of the
head, or at the root of the nose and going back into
the head ; better by pressure ; worse sitting, better
walking ; head heavy j eyes full with dizziness, agita-
tion, inclination to cry.
Rhus. — Burning, throbbing pain, fulness, oppressive
weight ; crawling, shaking, and swashing, as if every-
thing in the head were loose, especially when it comes
on after meals.
Nux v. — Headache coming on after a meal, drowsiness,
stiffness, and pain in the back of the neck j speech
thick j falling asleep of limbs. These are dangerous
128 HEADACHE.
symptoms, and denote the risk of apoplexy. A
medical man should always be summoned when they
appear. Nux should be given until he arrives.
Catarrhal Headache. — When a cold in the head
comes on, the cavities in the skull-bones — especially
those in the prominences of the eyebrows — being
lined with offshoots of the nasal mucous membrane,
are liable to become congested, and are then the seat
of a sense of fulness and weight. Associated with this
there is frequently severe headache, usually in the fore-
head. It is oppressive and burning, and is accompanied
by all the symptoms of cold.
General Treatment. — This is much the same as the
treatment for GOLD. Salt water drawn up the nostrils
will at times give relief.
Medicines.
Aeon. — Better in the open air ; worse by talking.
Arsen. — Running from the nose, the discharge being acrid
and burning ; hoarseness, restlessness ; better out of
doors or in a warm room.
Nux v. — Nose discharges freely in the day, but is stopped
at night.
Cepa. — Fulness and heaviness in the head, especially the
back of the head \ worse at night and in a room j better
in open air.
Gouty Headache. — Persons of gouty constitution are
liable to ailments of various kinds. One member of
a gouty family will have one disorder and another
another, but each is dependent on the same constitu-
tional defect. In one it will manifest itself in a skin
disease, in another in gouty joints, and in a third in
headaches. When this is the case the headache is of
the most severe kind. It is almost invariably inherited
gout that takes this form. The headache is generally
one-sided, affecting one or other temple, and is accom-
panied by great irritability and intolerance of sounds
I-lfcADACHk 129
and light. It is periodic, coming on regularly at
intervals. It passes off with a copious flow of urine,
often turbid. There may be vomiting during the
attack.
General Treatment. — In this kind of headache the
treatment for constitutional gout is needed. See under
GOUT. During the attack there is little to be done
beyond keeping the patient quiet and in a dark room.
Hot or cold applications, whichever give most relief,
may be applied, and vinegar cloths. But most reliance
will be put in medicines.
Medicines. — (Every' quarter of an hour, until relief is
obtained, during the attack j two or three times a day
as a constitutional remedy.)
Aeon. — Great restlessness, fever, peevishness, pain over
one or other eye.
ifc//.— Violent throbbing pain, with flushed face, bright
eyes, or suffused j delirium.
Kalibichr. — Pain over one eye ; yellow tongue ; dyspeptic
symptoms.
Bry. — Pain in forehead as if contents of skull would be
forced out j white tongue j constipation.
Nux v. — Great pain in the eye, and congestion ; tongue
dirty brown at the back j constipation ; in spare subjects
liable to fits of anger ; those addicted to beer, wine,
and tobacco.
Puis. — When the pain flies from place to place. In fair,
stout people.
Sulph. — As a constitutional remedy may be given steadily
in the intervals between attacks, when the characteristic
symptoms of Sulph. are present : ^CONSTITUTIONS.
Rheumatic Headache. — The rheumatic, like the gouty,
are apt to have their constitutional habit declare itself
in headaches. The pains are tearing and drawing,
frequently changing their place, and extending to neck,
ear, and temples. The head is sensitive to touch, and
1
i3o HEADACHE.
hurts when moved. The pains are worse in bed, espe-
cially towards midnight. There may be vomiting, which
relieves the symptoms.
General Treatment. — Constitutional treatment will be
called for in most cases in the intervals. See KHEU
MATISM. The attacks are best treated with warmth
« — hot foot-baths, inhaling steam ; combing the hair
also frequently relieves.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour in the attack. Two or
three times a day in the intervals.)
Cham. — Tearing, drawing pains, worse in bed at night ;
great irritability and peevishness.
Nux v. — 'fearing, drawing pains. Patient often faint,
angry, restless, often changing his position ; shooting
in the sides of the head ; worse in the open air, or when
stooping : tossing about, belching, retching.
Bell. — Tearing, drawing pains, and cannot bear light or
sound; is delighted to lie still. Pain comes suddenly
and goes suddenly. Cries and groans.
Puis. — Tearing, drawing pains ; chilly, inclined to weep ;
nausea, must lie still.
Jpec. — Intense gnawing, tearing pains, relieved by heat
and vomiting, restlessness, tossing about.
Jgnat. — After Jpec. Worst pain over nose. Burning,
piercing, tearing, deep in the head ; better stooping
or lying down.
Coloc. — Rheumatic pains, after other remedies have failed,
especially when hard pressure relieves.
Sulph. — A constitutional remedy. Tearing, beating,
piercing, on one side of the head, especially if it recurs
every week.
Sep. — Tearing, beating all over the head, as if it were com-
ing apart, agitation, restlessness, nausea, belching and
retching ; pressing, burning pain, causing vomiting ;
brought on through every change of the weather.
HEADACHE. 131
Headache from Disordered Digestion. — It is not
always easy to decide whether a headache causes dis-
order of the stomach or is the result of it. The pa-
tient's history will be the best guide. If there has been
known irregularity of diet, it will be safe to decide
that the stomach is the cause, and to pay most atten-
tion to that. There is furred tongue, loss of appetite,
nausea and vomiting coming on early in the attack and
increasing with it ; whereas, if the attack is neuralgic
purely, the vomiting does not come on till later.
General Treatment.— The article on DYSPEPSIA
must be consulted. Strong coffee without milk or sugar
should be given if the presence of undigested food is
the cause. Abstinence from all food during the attack
is almost a necessity. Water may be drunk freely if
there is thirst. It may be taken hot or cold, whichever
seems to agree with the patient best.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour during an attack).
Nux v. — After indulgence in alcoholic drinks or tobacco.
Dull, heavy headache.
Puis. — After fat food or pork.
See also DYSPEPSIA.
Headache from Constipation. — Headache sometimes
accompanies constipation. The patient notices that
whenever the usual evacuation is omitted there is
headache, which passes away when the bowels are re-
lieved. The treatment of this kind of headache will
be principally the treatment of constipation.
General Treatment. — During the attack the treatment
will be the same as that recommended for headaches
generally. For the general state, see CONSTIPA-
TION.
Medicines. — (Frequently during the attack ; two or three
times during the intervals).
Bryon. — Determination of blood to the head ; it feels as
i32 HEADACHE.
if pressed together from the two sides ; on stooping, as
if everything would fall out at the forehead. Nose
bleeds without giving relief.
Nnx ik — Blood to the head, pressure on temples, walking
or moving makes the brain feel sore ; neither sitting nor
lying gives relief; eyes dull, lids heavy, but sleepless ;
head feels heavy, especially on moving eyes j feels as if
it would burst during mental application j worse in morn-
ing, in open air, after meals, after coffee ; when there
is loathing of coffee.
Opium. — Blood to the head ; when the pain has a tear-
ing, burning feeling on forehead, visible throbbings on
temples, restless look of eyes, thirst, dry mouth, sour
eructations, inclination to vomit, foul and offensive
vomiting.
Merc— After Opium, head seems full to bursting, as ii
tied with a bandage ; worse at night ; tearing, burning,
boring, shooting pain.
Puis. — Pains only on one side ; shivering ; no thirst ;
little determination of blood. Patients of mild and
quiet temperament, inclined to weep and agitated.
Lye. — Headache begins with blindness or dark spots
before the sight ; with the headache there is flatulence
in lower bowel, and passing of thick, gravelly urine.
Worse 4 to 8 p.m. ; better.by uncovering the head.
Sick Headache, or Migraine. — This is not due to dis-
order of stomach but is a constitutional disorder,
nausea or vomiting being one of the symptoms
depending on disturbances of the nerves and brain.
Occasionally these headaches rob those who suffer from
them of one or more days out of every week.
General Treatment. — As a rule, sick headache compels
the patient to retire to bed, and as far as possible to
shut out all light and sound. Beyond this there is
little to be done in the way of general treatment.
HEADACHE. 133
Medicines. — (Frequently during the attack j two or three
times a day during the interval.)
Aeon. — Pain, accompanied by great sensitiveness to all
kinds of odours. Pain particularly violent over right
eye ; piercing and tearing, so that the patient screams ;
worse shaking or moving the head, or stooping. After
Sepia.
Bell. — Great sensitiveness to the light ; pains worst right
side ; external part of head very sensitive ; veins of
head and hands swollen ; pain extending to eye and
nose on one side of the head, with pressing, crushing,
waving, splashing sensations ; worse by every motion,
by turning the eyes, by bright light, by every con-
cussion ; jolting sensation in head and forehead at
every step; pain returning every afternoon and con-
tinuing till midnight, aggravated by warmth of bed, or
lying down ; worse in a draught. Pain commencing
very gradually, changing to an acute pain, affecting
half the head; sometimes piercing momentarily, but so
acute as to deprive the patient of his senses.
Plathia. — After Bell. Sensation of splashing in forehead ;
feeling of coldness in ears, eyes, and side of the face,
around mouth ; trembling or flickering before the eyes ;
things look smaller.
Merc. — After Bell., if pain tears down into neck and
throat; shooting in left ear only; pain excessively
violent during the night, with night-sweats, which do
not relieve.
Sanguinaria. — Great sensitiveness to others walking in
the room. Pain periodical, or begins in morning and
lasts till night, with fulness of the head as if it would
split, or as if eye were pressed outwards ; pain beginning
in back part of the head, and finally settling over the
right eye : digging, shooting, stinging, beating pain
throughout the head, but more in the forehead,- and
134 HEADACHE.
worse on the right side, with chills, nausea, vomiting,
inclination to lie down ; symptoms worse by motion.
Sepia. — Patient dislikes to be touched, complains of his
bed being hard, is very sensitive to, and is made worse
by, thunderstorms, cold air, vexations. Pain violent
over right eye ; piercing and boring, so that the patient
screams ; nausea, vomiting, worse shaking or moving
the head, on stooping.
Sulph. — Great sensitiveness to all kinds of odouis. After
Aconite ; violent pains over right eye.
Spigel. — Great sensitiveness to noise ; worst pains on left
side, with insupportable beating on temple. Pain
on whole left side of the head, and sometimes pain in
face and teeth, increasing as the sun mounts ; worse
by stooping or motion.
Kali carb. — Drawing, tearing, pressing pains ; intolerance
of light ; disturbance of vision.
Nervous Headache. — Closely allied to migraine or sick
headache is the nervous headache. It differs from
migraine in that it is more definitely traceable to weak-
ness of the nerves and causes which act on the nerves,
whilst migraine is more a disease in itself, showing itself
periodically, whether there is any definite cause or
not.
In nervous headache the head is generally cool, the face
pale; at the beginning the patient sometimes passes
colourless urine; if there is vomiting it gives relief; as
a rule it affects one side only, or is a boring sensation,
as if produced by a nail, in particular spots. Touching
the head makes the pain worse ; lying down quietly
in a dark room mitigates it. Coffee and strong tea
are frequent causes of this headache, and those subject
to it should rigidly abstain from both.
General Treatment. — As stated above, it will be
necessary for patients who suffer from this kind of
HEADACHE, 135
headache to abstain from coffee, alcohol, and from
strong tea. The care of the general health must also
be enjoined. Frequent bathing in cold water, rub-
bing of the skin, and avoidance of everything tending
to over-excite or even tax the nerves.
Medicines. — (Frequently during the attack ; two or three
times a day as a course.)
Cojfea. — (Of course when caused by coffee-drinking this
remedy will not be given.) Violent, drawing, pressing
pains on outside of the head as if a nail were driven in,
or as if the brain were shattered, crushed, and torn ;
recurring on the slightest occasion; after close thinking,
vexation, taking cold, eating too much ; with a distaste
for coffee, sensitiveness to the least noise, even music ;
the pains appear intolerable, making the patient fretful ;
is almost beside himself, shrieks, cries, tosses about,
gets much agitated, dreads the fresh air, and is chilly.
Aeon. — Pains most violent, with retching, crying and
lamenting, and apprehensive of death; the least motion
or noise intolerable; pain throbbing, shooting, or cramp-
like above the nose, aggravated by the conversation of
others ; when the headache has been brought on by
cold; catarrh, buzzing in ears, pains in abdomen ; dis-
agreeable sensation as if a ball were rising up into the
head, producing a sensation as of cold air.
Ignat. — Pressing pain above the nose, mitigated by bend-
ing forward ; pressing from within outward, twitching
and throbbing; tearing in forehead as if a nail were
driven through the head ; piercing, burning deep into
the brain ; nausea, darkness before eyes, aversion to
light, pale face, profuse colourless urine; the pains
often leave for a time when the position is changed,
and frequently return after meals, at night after lying
down, in the morning after getting up; the patient very
136 HEADACHE.
nervous, fickle, morose, taciturn, and dejected ; head-
ache which causes twitching.
Vera. — Painful sensitiveness of scalp ; headache, with
diarrhoea ; pains so severe he almost loses reason ;
becomes weak and faint ; is worse on getting up after
lying down, with cold perspiration, chills, and thirst ;
with costiveness, determination of blood to the head,
pain on one side, oppressive throbbing as if the brain
were bruised, with sensation as if compressed, extend-
ing to throat, or with stomach-ache, painful stiffness
of neck, frequent emission of pale-coloured urine,
nausea, vomiting.
Puis. — Tearing pains, growing worse in evening ; or
throbbing and tingling after rising in the morning and
in the evening after lying down ; jerking, shooting,
burning in the temples, particularly when the pain is
confined to one side of the head, or accompanied by
frequent giddiness, sickness of the stomach, heaviness
of the head, dimness of sight ; aversion to light ;
buzzing in the ears, or shooting, jerking, and tearing ;
pale, distressed countenance ; no appetite ; no thirst ;
chilliness and agitation, with occasional bleeding of
the nose and palpitation of the heart ; when all the
symptoms are worse when at rest or sitting, and
become better in the open air ; when the headache is
relieved by pressure or a tight bandage. In mild, good-
natured persons.
Bry. — Burning and oppressive pains in the head ; when
stooping, it seems as if everything would come
out at the forehead ; worse when walking ; or more
external tearing, extending to face and temples; or
pressing, burning, tearing in small spots. Rheumatic,
petulant, passionate persons.
Nux v. — From constipation, from corTee-drinking, in
those addicted to alcohol or tobacco. Pain like the
piercing of a nail or stitching jerks ; shooting and
HEADACHE. 137
oppressive sensation on one side, beginning early in
the morning, and growing worse and worse, until the
patient seems to be unconscious or half crazy ; head
heavy ; buzzing noise ; giddiness ; trembling when
walking ; worse by moving the eyes ; in open air ; early
in morning ; after meals ; by stooping. When the head
is extremely painful, and worse in cold weather.
C//tf///.— Pain in the head caused by cold or by drinking
coffee ; rending and drawing pain on one side, ex-
tending to the jaw ; acute shooting pain in temples ;
heaviness over the nose or troublesome throbbing,
especially when one cheek is red and the other pale,
or the whole face turgid. Eyes painful ; sore throat ;
bitter taste. For children and persons unable to bear
the least pain and quite unmanageable.
China. — Suitable after Coffea. For sensitive persons; and
when the pain is oppressive, preventing sleeping at
night; discontented persons; stubborn, disobedient
children, fond of dainties, and of pale complexion;
face red and hot only at times, when they become
very talkative or are restless the whole night ; tearing
in temples, as if the brain was bursting ; boring in
top of head, the brain feeling as if bruised ; jerking,
tearing, rolling, and bursting ; worse when -stepping,
at every motion, and on opening the eyes ; relieved
by lying down and being quiet ; skin tender to
touch.
Act. r. — Headaches from loss of sleep, mental strain,
or worrv; aching at the vertex, occiput, and in eye-
balls.
Gdsem. — Dull, heavy pains in the head, especially at
the vertex; throbbing in the temples, drooping eye-
lids, heavy eyes, giddiness.
Capsic. — Especially suited to those who are afraid of the
air, exercise, chilly, especially after drinking ; phleg-
matic, sluggish persons, who easily take . offence ;
138 HEART, PALPITATION OF.
refractory, clumsy, awkward children ; throbbing head-
ache ; or distending, bursting, pressing outwards j worse
when walking or moving ; tingling, tearing when at
rest ; moving head and eyes and stooping aggravate it ;
also open air and cold.
Sulph. — Throbbing, tearing pains with heat, chiefly in
morning and evening ; nausea ; worse in open air,
better indoors ; periodical ; loss of hair, and skin erup-
tions.
Ars. — Burning at top of head ; pain over the eyes ;
periodical ; debility, low, feverish condition ; worse
indoors, better in the open air.
Sepia. — Piercing, tearing, and throbbing headaches,
chiefly in forehead or under the frontal protuber-
ance; worse by slightest touch, compelling the patient
to scream ; nausea and vomiting worse from slightest
motion, better when keeping very still; in the dark,
with closed eyes, desires sleep, which soon follows,
and, after sleeping for some time, headache ceases.
HEAD LICE. — The presence of lice in the head is not in-
compatible with perfect health. It is sometimes almost
impossible to get rid of them without constitutional
treatment as well as local.
General Treatment. — Perfect cleanliness in habits;
plain food and exercise. Locally, wash of Sabadilla <p,
one ounce to the pint of water.
Medicine.
Nat. ?nur. — (Three or four times a day.)
HEART, PALPITATION OF.— Violent or rapid pulsation
of the heart may be due to disease of the heart's struc-
ture, or it may arise from constitutional causes, from dis-
orders of digestion or affections of other organs. It is
a common symptom in smokers and those who indulge
freely in alcohol. In persons of nervous organisation
HEARTBURN. 139
almost anything will be sufficient to cause an attack of
palpitation. Those who suffer from it generally sleep
better lying on the right side than the left.
General Treatment. — When the cause is known andean
be removed, to do this is the first indication. Tobacco,
wine, and spirits, coffee, strong tea, spices, must be
avoided. During an attack, when accompanied by faint-
ness, a little brandy with hot water may be given.
Medicines. — (Frequently during an attack. Three times
daily during an interval.)
Aeon. — When it arises from mental emotions ; in ple-
thoric persons.
Cham. — From vexation.
Coffea. — From joy.
Ignat. — In persons of weak nerves ; palpitation worse at
night, keeping the patient awake.
JVux v. — In plethoric persons, after Aeon. ; worse after
eating j flatulence after eating ; constipation.
Bell. — In plethoric persons ; palpitation on slight exertion,
with full, throbbing headache, flushed face, great sensi-
tiveness to light and noise.
China. — In weak persons who have had exhausting dis-
charges.
Nat. m. — Palpitation coming on when the patient lies
down.
Verat. a. — Better lying down, worse on rising and moving
about, with difficulty of breathing and agitation.
HEARTBURN.— A hot sensation felt principally in the pit
of the stomach, and followed after a time by sour or
acrid risings. This is often a symptom of dyspepsia,
and then the case will be treated according to the
symptoms, taken as a whole. It often occurs during
pregnancy. Compare WATERBRASH.
General Treatment. — The use of alkalies is objection-
able. A slice of lemon, with sugar, held in the mouth
140 HEAT, EFFECTS OF— HECTIC FEVER.
may remove it, or drinking freely of cold water, or
sugared water in the morning. It is best treated by
medicines.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Carbo v. — With flatulence and chilliness.
Puis. — Loaded tongue, flat taste, loose bowels.
Lye. — White tongue, red sediment in the urine, flatulence,
and constipation.
HEAT, EFFECTS OF. See SUNSTROKE.
HEAT SPOTS (Prickly Heat).— Whilst voyaging through
the tropics most persons become affected with a rash
of minute vesicles, attended with violent itching. This
rash is also common in hot summers, and affects children
especially.
General Treatment. — Frequent bathing and light
dressing will generally relieve the complaint. The
best soap to use is Barilla Soap, manufactured by
M'Clinton and Thomson, of Belfast.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Aeo?i. — If there is fever and restlessness.
- Rhus. — If the eruption is extensive.
Sulph. — After Rhus> if the latter is insufficient.
HECTIC FEVER.— This is the fever which is found accom-
panying many wasting diseases, notably consumption,
and chronic abscesses connected with bones and joints.
It is a continued fever, subject to many fluctuations in
the course of the twenty-four hours, reaching its height
in the middle of the afternoon, when the characteristic
bright spot appears on the cheek. The presence of the
disease on which it depends serves to distinguish it
from all other fevers.
The treatment of hectic is the treatment of the disease
of which it is a manifestation. The most nourishing
and easily digested diet, sponging with vinegar and
HERNIA— HICCOUGH. 141
hot water (one part to six), and a good supply of fresh
air constitute the most important general measures.
Of Medicines
China is the most generally useful.
Aeon., if there is dry skin, restlessness, anxiety.
Arsen. — Red tongue, burning throat, anguish.
Hepcir. — Great depression, profuse suppuration.
HERNIA. See RUPTURE.
HICCOUGH. — The diaphragm (which separates the cavity
of the chest from the cavity of the abdomen) is the
principle muscle of breathing. When from any reason
the nerve which regulates the action of the diaphragm
becomes irritated, spasmodic contraction of the muscle
may result. The effect of this is to cause a sudden in-
rush of air into the chest, when the voice organs are
not prepared for it. This accounts for the " sob " and
the noise which are so characteristic. Anything which
disorders the digestion and produces flatulence is apt
to set up this irritation. Spices will cause it at once
in some people. At times hiccough occurs from some
brain affection, apart from any affection of the stomach,
the nerve being irritated at its origin.
Hiccough is much more common among infants than
among adults. In them it is often due to chilling of the
skin.
General Treatment. — The well-known remedies 01
taking a deep breath and holding it a long time, drinking
deep draughts of water, eating a few lumps of sugar
may be tried ; also sudden arrest of the attention by a
friend of the patient is sometimes effective. Infants
should be wrapped up warmly and put to the breast, or
- a teaspoonful of water, sweetened with white sugar,
should be given. If these measures fail, recourse must
be had to
142 HOARSENESS.
Medicines. — (Every few minutes ; when the case is
chronic, at longer intervals.)
Nnx v. — In ordinary cases.
Ignat. — When it occurs after eating, drinking, or smoking.
Nat. mur.. — Violent and persistent hiccough, chilliness,
and ill-nourished condition.
HOARSENESS. — This very usual accompaniment of a
cold is due to congestion of the mucous membrane of
the larynx (voice organ) and relaxation of the vocal
cords. In a general way it passes off with the cold
and needs no special treatment. However, this does
not always happen so. It may linger on long after the
other symptoms of cold have disappeared and then it
becomes a more serious affair. Or, if the attacks of
hoarseness occur frequently, the condition will need to
be treated.
General Treatment. — A compress (composed of two
or three layers of linen wrung out of cold water and
laid across the throat, and over this a piece of flannel
completely covering it) applied at bedtime is often of
benefit. Eating a few raisins, or taking the yolk of an
egg raw with a little sugar several times a day are use-
ful in many cases. Of course care must be taken to
avoid colds, and adopt such measures as will prevent
their occurrence.
Medicines.— (Every four hours, until relief is obtained.)
Bell. — Hoarseness accompanied with tickling, irritating
cough, and bright red soreness of throat ; mouth dry.
Phos. — Hoarseness, with cough and rawness in larynx,
worse in evening ; cannot talk on account of pain in
larynx.
Carbo v. — Protracted hoarseness, worse morning and
evening and after talking ; hoarseness after measles.
Merc. — Voice hoarse and rough, burning and tickling in
HOME SICKNESS— HYDROPHOBIA. 143
larynx — a disposition to perspire easily, the sweating
giving no relief. Every breath of air aggravates.
HOME SICKNESS.— The idea that the sufferings some
people experience on being separated from their homes
and kindred can be in any way influenced by medicines
may seem strange, but it is happily a fact, neverthe-
less ; and, more than this, there is no other treatment
that is of much avail.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Hyos. — Sleepless, hot and flushed face.
Caps. — After Hyos., hot feeling in the back of the throat;
constant weeping.
Ac. Phos. — Taciturn, sleepy, dull ; wasting • does not
care to eat.
HOOPING COUGH. See WHOOPING COUGH.
HUNGER. See APPETITE,
HYDROPHOBIA.— It is well to remember that of dogs that
bite not one in a thousand is rabid, and of persons
bitten by actually rabid animals not more than one
in twenty become affected by hydrophobia. It is also
well to remember that most animals that are "sup-
posed " to be mad are not mad at all. These con-
siderations should be sufficient to do away with the
panic many timid persons suffer from to such a degree
that the very fear of hydrophobia becomes itself a
disease and might be called a hydrophobia-/^^.
But there is one more comforting reflection, and that
is, that hydrophobia is not incurable, as it is generally
stated to be. Cases have been cured, and there is no
reason why they should not be cured again.
The disease consists of an irritation of the central
nervous system, manifesting itself in convulsions, which
generally wear the patient out. These convulsions
H4 HYDROPHOBIA.
are excited by very slight causes, such as a noise, or
movement, or blowing on the patient, but especially
by any attempt on his part to swallow liquids. This is
so marked that the sight or sound of water is enough
to set up convulsions. But there are cases in which
this does not occur.
The onset of the disease occurs at a variable time
after the bite. The symptoms have been known to
develop so soon as eight days after, and cases are
recorded in which the incubation period (as it is called)
has lasted for years. The general run of cases occur
in from one to two months after the bite.
Diagnosis. — Some cases of hysteria closely simulate an
attack of hydrophobia. There are the choking sensa-
tions, inability to swallow, and general convulsions ;
but the patient is generally known to be hysterical,
and the attack does not last long. There is not the
profound prostration or the heavy sweat that accom-
pany the real disease.
General Treatment.— This divides itself into two
heads : (i) the treatment after the bite, and (2). the
treatment of the disease.
(1) Treatment after the bite.
The first thing to be done is to apply cupping
glasses to the wound, or, if these are not handy, to suck
it. The person sucking runs no risk if he has no sere
about his mouth at the time. Whilst sucking pressure
should be made with the thumb towards the wound
over the adjoining part. If the wound is deep and the
orifice small it should be made larger by an incision.
When nothing more can be made to exude from it the
wound should be washed with a 20 per cent, solution
of carbolic acid, or of Sir W. Burnett's disinfecting
fluid, and afterwards allowed to heal, with nothing but
water dressing applied.
HYDROPHOBIA. 145
The patient should be put on a course of Turkish
baths, taking one daily for three weeks.
Medicines. — A course of Bell. 3, one drop three times a
day should be persisted in for three months.
(2) Treatment of the Disease.
When the first signs of the disease show themselves
— inflammation showing itself about the wound, irri-
tability of temper, restlessness, soreness or stiffness
about the throat — the patient should at once be re-
moved to a Turkish bath. The following establish-
ments in London and the provinces receive patients
suffering from the disease or bitten by rabid animals,
and Captain F. E. Pirkis, R.N., of The High Elms,
Nutfield, Surrey, guarantees the payment of charges for
any needy sufferer.
Mr. Metcalfe's, Priessnitz House, 10, 11, 12, Pad-
dington Green, London, W.
Mr. Thomas', Pepper Street, Chester.
Constantine's Baths, 23, Oxford Street, Man-
chester.
The Limes Hydropathic Establishment, South-
port.
The Hydropathic Establishment, Old London Road,
Hastings.
Jennings' Hydropathic Establishment, West Hill,
Bournemouth; and by the Medical Staff of
Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment, Matlock.
Also Bartholomew's Baths in Bath, Bristol, Wor-
cester, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leicester
Square, London.
The Medicines which have proved most useful are Bella-
do?ma, Stramonium, Lachesis, and Cantharis. But the
treatment must always be directed by a medical man,
who will decide what should be given .
K
146 HYPOCHONDRIASIS.
HYPOCHONDRIASIS.— A morbid state of mind, in which
the patient imagines himself suffering from all manner
of diseases in mind, body, and estate, which have no
real objective existence. It is often a result of a
habit of looking perpetually at the dark side of things,
and at the inside of one's self. The latter produces a
morbid sensitiveness to every little pain or sensation,
exalting it into the symptoms of some fatal disease,
and also a morbid sensitiveness of conscience which
exaggerates every little fault into an unpardonable sin.
The condition was anciently supposed to be due to an
affection of the liver, which occupies the hypochondria,
and hence it derived its name. It does frequently
accompany disordered liver or digestion, but it more
frequently exists independently of these. It is a
disease peculiarly affecting men. In women it takes
the form of hysteria or melancholy.
General Treatment. — When it is ascertained that there
is no actual organic disease present, the difficulty arises
of persuading the patient that such is the case. This
is by no means easy. If he is told bluntly, he will go
from one doctor to another, quite convinced that
nobody understands his case. The great object is to
get the patient out of himself. A wise friend is often
of more service here than a doctor, unless the latter
is on intimate terms with the patient. The treat-
ment is rather moral than medical. But medicines
must not be neglected. The power of drugs over
mental states is very great. "Where the condition
arises from some slight bodily ailment, exaggerated
into a grave disease in the patient's mind, the actual
disease must be cured in the first instance, and with it
the whole morbid state will probably disappear.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
HYSTERIA. 147
Nux v. — When arising from disordered digestion, or
constipation.
Nat. m. — In ill-nourished persons with earthy complexion j
chilly.
Act. r. — Sense of a cloud hanging over one.
Ars. — When burning pains are complained of, red tongue,
thirst, anxiety, anguish, restlessness.
HYSTERIA. — A condition of nervous weakness, in which
self-control is lost, the will no longer asserts itself, and
the emotions have free play. In the hysterical fit the
patient laughs without real merriment, and cries without
cause, is convulsed, but does not lose consciousness as
in epileptic attacks. There are also differences of
sensation — one part may become hyper-sensitive and
another lose all power of feeling pain. Hysteria can
simulate almost any disease; on the other hand, cases of
real illness are sometimes set down as simply hysteria.
The history of a case, and especially of the patient,
will be the best guide in deciding, and the presence
or absence of previous hysterical attacks. One of the
most common symptoms of hysteria is the well-known
sensation of a lump in the throat. It should not be
forgotten that hysteria is a serious disease, and may be
a fatal one. Some women are liable to become hys-
terical when under the influence of shock or intense
excitement. They may have one or two attacks in a
lifetime, and no more. These are not what are called
hysterical patients proper. With them it is only a
passing accident. The true hysteric is a person of
highly nervous organisation and very unstably balanced.
Such an one may suffer periodically from attacks of
hysteria from no observable cause, and is easily put
into an attack from a very slight cause. Men may
be hysterical as well as women.
148 ICES, ICE-CREAMS.
General Treatment. — Plain, regular mode of living,
avoidance of stimulants and anything exciting, are the
best measures for those who have a tendency to
hysterical attacks. In the attack the application of
cold water to the face will in most cases restore self-
control. The wet towel is the best means of applying
it. A corner of the towel should be dipped in cold
water, and the face flicked with this. This measure
should only be resorted to when the patient is of
strong constitution and in good general health. The
safest plan is to loosen the clothes, and take care that
the patient does not hurt herself, and do nothing more,
but wait till the fit is over. The worst thing to do is
to exhibit much sympathy. The attendant may feel
it, but must not show it, for this only makes the
patient worse.
Medicines. — (Every few minutes in an attack. Two or
three times a day for the constitution.)
Ignat. — Great impressionability, capriciousness, rapidly
alternating mental states, feeling of a " lump " in the
throat, relieved by swallowing food ; effects of worry.
Moschus. — Hysterical fainting attacks.
Lack. — " Lump " in throat ; cannot bear anything tight
about her ; worse after sleep.
[Hysteria takes a great variety of forms, and if the
ordinary medicines do not succeed the permanent
symptoms of the case must be carefully compared with
the materia medica. The constitutional remedy will
be chosen according to the general condition of the
patient between the attacks.]
ICES, ICE-CREAMS, EFFECTS AFTER EATING.—
These are generally acute pains from arrest of digestion,
followed by flatulence and possibly vomiting. The
following Medicines should be given every hour until
relief is obtained.
INDIGESTION— INFANTS. 149
Ars. — After eating ice-creams.
Carb. v. — For bad effects of ice-water and iced drinks in
general.
INDIGESTION. See DYSPEPSIA.
INFANTS, NEWLY-BORN.— As it often happens that the
child is born before the arrival of the doctor, it is
very necessary that nurses and others should be able
to act in emergencies. The first thing to remember
regarding the child is that it is often apparently dead
when born, but not really so.
Apparent Death.— If the cord is round the child's neck,
unbind it. If the cord pulsates, leave it uncut. Gently
insert the finger in the child's mouth, and clear out any
fluid or membrane that may be there. On withdrawing
the finger, there will generally be an effort to breathe.
If there is none, cut the cord, and allow it to bleed
a little before tying ; then place the child in a hot
bath, and pour a little cold water on the back of the
neck. If there is still no effort to breathe, make slow
and gentle pressure on the chest, taking it between the
two hands and allowing it to expand again. These
measures must be persevered with, as patience has
been rewarded with a living child after two or three
hours.
Management of the Child.— As soon as the child has
given evidence of vitality by its cry or the rosy flush of
its skin, it maybe separated from its mother. The cord
should be tied about an inch and a half from the child's
body, and again about an inch nearer the mother. The
best material is several strands of strong thread, twisted
into a coil, or a piece of narrow tape. It should be put
once round only, and then firmly tied. Between the
two ligatures it should be cut. The child should be
washed as soon as possible, and in the meantime
wrapped in flannel.
i5o Infants.
Washing. — As soon as possible after it is born the child
should be washed in warm water. It is covered with a
sebaceous substance which is difficult to remove. This
must be rubbed with a little lard, which will soften it
and makes it easy to wash off with soap and flannel,
The child should be washed once a day in water not
too warm ; by degrees it may be accustomed to cold
water. After washing it should be wiped dry with a soft
towel.
The Eyes.— The following directions are taken from the
author's " Prescriber : "
Immediately after birth the nurse must wash the
infant's eyes, with the greatest possible care, removing
all traces of mucus. For this purpose a fine linen rag,
dipped in clean water, may be used. Beginning at
the outer corner, the eyelids are gently wiped from
side to side, until all traces of mucus are removed,
and the eyelids remain perfectly clean. Sponges must
never be used. As soon as the child's eyes are
thus washed clean and dried, the nurse is to wash
her own hands most carefully in water with which
carbolic acid, Condy's fluid, or other disinfectant has
been mixed. If in the first few days after birth signs
of inflammation appear — redness, swelling, and sticking
together of the lids — the greatest care must be taken.
If from any reason the doctor cannot be in attendance
immediately, the nurse must herself cleanse the eyes in
the following manner : — A perfectly clean and very soft
piece of linen is moistened with tepid water; any excess
of water is then squeezed out. The muco-purulent
discharge between the eyelids is wiped off very gently
■ — without scrubbing or scratching; special attention
being paid to the inner corner of the eyelid, where
the mucus particularly accumulates. After repeatedly
rinsing the linen in clean water, the upper eyelid is
INFANTS. 151
gently raised by means of the thumb placed on the
eyelid immediately above the lashes, but without
making any undue pressure. The muco-purulent
matter which escapes is removed with the rag as often
as it appears. In the next place, the lower eyelid is
drawn down with the forefinger, and also wiped with
great care. If the eyelids stick together, they must be
moistened with water until separation takes place with-
out any effort. The water used in cleansing the eyes
must be perfectly pure ; no milk or soap is to be mixed
with it.
Medical Treatment. — Arg. nit. 3, 2I1. ; after well wash-
ing, a drop of a solution of Arg. nit. (two grains to the
ounce) to be introduced into the eye.
The Navel.— When the child is washed and ready for
dressing the navel must be attended to. Take four thick-
nesses of very fine soft linen, cut a hole in the centre
by doubling them into four and snipping off the
points. Nurses insist on charring the edges of the
hole thus made, and no objection need be raised to
the practice, though the object of it is not very
apparent j place the cord through the hole and turn it
up, laying it on one fold of the linen j then turn up the
other fold over it, and turn the sides of the doubled
fold thus made over the cord again, so wrapping it
up. The child's clothes will then keep it in place. The
navel generally shrivels up and drops off in about a
week.
Clothing.— From time immemorial it has been deemed
necessary to roll up infants in yards of flannel. Some
sturdy hygienic reformers, like Dr. Roth in England and
Dr. Grosvenor, of Chicago, in the United States, have
raised protests, and with good effect. These gentlemen
have described dresses for infants which can be adjusted
iS2 INFANTS.
with one action, and keep the child warm without
interfering with the freedom of its movements.
The Passages. — The nurse must observe whether the
child passes motion and water without difficulty, as
there are sometimes defects in the passages which
demand immediate attention. The first motion is
peculiar. It consists of a dark green substance, called
meconium, which is usually passed a few hours after
birth.
Feeding. — The child should be put to the breast very
soon after delivery. It is good both for the child and
the mother. The child learns to suck, and the secretion
of milk is hastened. There is less liability to sore
nipples and hardening of the breast. Also it causes
the womb to contract more speedily.
If for any reason the mother cannot suckle the child
for a day or two, it must be nourished with milk, diluted
with an equal quantity of water. Nothing else should
be given. Of prepared foods, if the mother cannot
nourish the child at all, Carnrick's is the best.
INFANTS, DISEASES PECULIAR TO.
Breasts, Swelling of.— The breasts of infants are some-
times swollen at birth, or some time after. This is
often caused by the folly of ignorant nurses, who think
it incumbent on them to " break the nipple strings."
General Treatment. — Apply a rag saturated with sweet
oil. This will generally be sufficient.
Medicines. — (Every few hours.)
Cham. — If the child is fretful and irritable.
Bell. — If there is much show of redness and swelling.
Am. — If it is due to the squeezing of nurses.
Hepar. — If there is suppuration.
Colic- — This is frequently met with in infants. The
commonest causes are errors of diet on the part of the
INFANTS. 153
nurse or mother, or injudicious feeding of the infant.
Chill is also not unfrequently followed by colic. Some-
times it is constitutional, and these cases are generally
the most violent.
General Treatment. — Attention must be paid to the
diet of the child or the mother. For the proper
diet for Infants, see under CHILDREN, Feeding
and Management ok. The intervals of feeding must
also be regular, and not too frequent. It is a very
bad habit to feed a child every time it cries. When
the child takes the breast or the bottle well, every
four hours is often enough. The intervals must be
shorter when the stomach can only take a little.
Next in importance to feeding in cases of colic is clothing
and warmth. Every care must be taken to avoid chills.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two until relieved ; then less
often.)
Cham. — This is the chief remedy. The indications are
swelling of the body, crying, writhing and twisting,
drawing up the legs towards the abdomen, and coldness
of the feet.
Coloc. — After Cham, j brown watery diarrhoea.
Ipec. — Sickness, diarrhoea ; fermenting, putrid stools.
China. — Distension and hardness of body ; attacks more
liable to come on in the evening.
Nux v. — With constipation.
Puis. — Flatulent colic; wind rumbling in the body, which
is tender ; shivering; paleness of face.
Constipation. — Every child should have a motion at least
once a day. If it has this without pain or difficulty
this is quite sufficient, but if delayed longer remedies
should be sought. The condition is sometimes con-
stitutional and sometimes due to errors of diet. Manna
should be used for sweetening food instead of sugar.
154 INFANTS.
General Treatment. — If the child is on the breast, the
nurse should try some change of diet — brown bread,
figs, green vegetables, revalenta; or, if handled, the
child's diet should be changed. If one food consti-
pates another will not. Milk foods only should be
given at first — Carnrick's, Mellin's, Savory & Moore's,
Aylesbury Artificial Mother's Milk. These may be
tried in turn. A teaspoonful of cold water may be
given two or three times a day.
Injections of warm water, or of one-third of a teaspoonful
of glycerine, may be given.
Medicines. — (To be given night and morning.)
Sulph. — In constitutional cases, a good remedy to begin
with.
Nux v. — Frequent ineffectual urgings, restless sleep,
irritability.
Bry. — Large motions passed with difficulty.
Opium. — Hard, lumpy motions, drowsiness; often accom-
panied by retention of urine.
Plumb. — Obstinate cases ; hard, dark balls.
Ant. cru. — With white coated tongue and disordered
stomach.
Convulsions. See SPASMS or CONVULSIONS.
Crying. — Usually when children cry there is a cause for
it, but sometimes they cry when no cause can be
discovered. Except when it is excessive, crying does
not of itself injure a child, and need not be cause for
alarm.
General Treatment. — The first thing to be done is to
find the cause. The only way infants have of explain-
ing that a pin is sticking into them, or that their dress
is not comfortable, is by crying. This should be seen
to first of all. Pains of all kinds in infants cause them
to cry, and it is only by observing other symptoms
that the character of the pain can be discovered. If
INFANTS. 155
there is rumbling ill the body, passage of flatulence, green
motions, or diarrhoea, it may be safely concluded that
the pain is in the body. If there is fever, dry skin,
that means there is inflammation somewhere. If there
is difficulty of breathing or cough, it is probably the
chest ; if the child cries when washed or touched in
any particular part, as the ear, there is probably some
aching or inflammation there. The treatment of all
these affections will be found under their several
headings. Never give an opiate or any kind of soothing
syrup to stop a child crying ; this not only injures the
child, but it prevents the possibility of finding out
what is the matter with it by obscuring the indications
of the disease.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour when the attacks are on.
Two or three times a day as preventives.)
Bell. — Starting out of sleep and beginning to cry violently.
Aeon. — Crying, accompanied by uneasiness and heat.
Cham. — Fretfulness, wanting to be carried about ; when
there is reason to suppose the crying is caused by
earache.
Diarrhoea. — Three to six motions a day are natural to
healthy infants. When there are more, and when the
character of them is altered, and they become watery,
green, brown, pasty, offensive, or mixed with blood
and mucus, and when the child shows signs of
suffering, then the condition is unnatural and requires
treatment.
Diarrhoea, which is prevalent in summer, is a dangerous
disease. It is sometimes called summer diarrhcea. It
usually begins with nausea and vomiting. First the
food is vomited, then mucus. There may be retching
and fruitless efforts to vomit. Diarrhcea comes on
after the vomiting, the stools are greenish, thin, watery,
or yellowish or slimy and mixed with blood. The food
ts6 INFANTS.
is sometimes passed undigested, and occasionally is very
offensive. The child rapidly grows thin ; there is great
thirst for v/ater, which is often vomited ; the head is
hot, hands and feet cold. Bad air, improper feeding,
sudden chills from improper clothing, or sudden changes
of weather are the chief causes.
General Treatment. — The child must be kept warm
and guarded from chills. If it is on the breast the
nurse must be careful in her diet and take nothing
that is of a relaxing nature. If it is handfed a change
in the diet may be tried. If the discharges are excessive
and watery, and the child shows signs of thirst, water
may be given in teaspoonfuls. Sometimes water is the
only thing that can be retained on the stomach at first.
If the child has been fed on milk a little lime water
may be added to it.
Medicines. — (Every hour until better.)
A con.— Diarrhoea attended with fever; after a fright.
Cham. — Bilious, watery, pasty, or slimy stools of whitish,
green, or yellow colour. Sometimes like beaten-up
eggs, and offensive like rotten eggs. With it there is
colic, fretfulness, crying, drawing up of the legs, red-
ness of the face or of one cheek, soreness between the
legs.
Chin. — Watery, painless diarrhoea, with much wind, occurs
after every meal j undigested milk in the stools. Stools
fetid ; much wind in the bowels.
Ipec. — From overloading the stomach ; with nausea and
vomiting; paleness of face; frequent crying; bilious,
slimy stools, greenish-yellow, blackish and blood-
streaked, putrid.
Remedies especially required for summer diarrhoea.
Ars. — Child very weak, pale and emaciated ; body
inflated; limbs cold; nausea and vomiting; yellow,
INFANTS. T57
watery, or white or brownish, offensive diarrhoea, worse
after midnight, towards morning, and after eating and
drinking.
Carbo v. — Child is cold and blue, stools thin and
offensive, vomiting after eating, much thirst.
Jpec. — At the commencement. For special indications
see above.
Merc. — Diarrhoea worse before midnight ; colic, straining,
perspiration j scanty, greenish, sour, slimy, or bloody
stools, with nausea and eructations.
Cale. c. — Thin, light coloured stools, sour-smelling or like
bad eggs; vomiting; sweat on head ; body enlarged.
Verat, a. — Weakness, nausea, vomiting so great as almost
to cause fainting j great coldness, with cold sweat on the
forehead : great exhaustion, vomiting, and diarrhoea ;
vomiting after swallowing the least liquid ; slightest
movement excites vomiting ; great thirst for cold water ;
loose, brownish and blackish stools.
Sulph. — In protracted cases. Stools frequent, greenish,
thin and watery, or whitish and slimy.
Discharge from the Ear. — Gathering in the ears fre-
quently occurs in young children. The pains give
rise to screaming, rolling, and tossing of the head,
sudden starting out of sleep, and fever. When the dis-
charge takes place the gathering has broken and the
symptoms cease.
Treatment. — See under EARS.
Excoriation. — Rawness of the skin between the thighs
and about the buttocks of infants is a very common
affection. It is not a consequence of irritation from
the water and motions, but is an independent affection
of the skin.
General Treatment.— When the skin is sore it must
not be washed with soap, but with plain water merely
158 INFANTS.
and wrapped dry with very soft linen, and afterwards
dusted with starch powder or the finest fuller's earth.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Cham. — This will cure almost all cases.
Lye. — If Cham, fails.
Rhus. — If accompanied by red pimples on the head.
Sulph. — In obstinate cases.
Eyes Sore. — See above, under Management of the Child.
Gum, or Red Gum. — A rash of red pimples chiefly on face,
neck, and arms. It is called u gum " because the
pimples are tipped with a minute head, looking like a
gummy exudation.
General Treatment. — As the disease is often due to
improper clothing it will be necessary to see that the
child is not too warmly wrapped up. It must be
washed regularly.'
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Rhus. — Will cure most cases.
Sulph. — If Rhus is not sufficient.
Heat Spots, or Prickly Heat. — An eruption of small
vesicles, generally about the size of a pin's head. They
are red and inflamed at the base, and contain watery
fluid. After breaking they sometimes form thin scabs.
There is usually some fever, and the burning and
itching causes much annoyance to the infant. Heat of
summer, warm rooms, excess of clothing, are the causes
which give rise to it.
General Treatment. — Frequent washing and proper
attention to ventilation and dress.
Medicines. — (Every few hours until relief is obtained.)
Aeon. — Fever and restlessness.
Cham. — Peevishness and fretfulness.
Rhus. — If the eruption is extensive,
INFANTS. 159
Sulph. — If the eruption persists. When there is a
tendency to the complaint, Sulph. may be given at
long intervals to correct this.
Hiccough. — Many infants are a good deal troubled with
this. Exposure to cold air will bring it on.
General Treatment. — Wrap the child up warmly
and give it the breast or the bottle. If it con-
tinues give a teaspoonful of water sweetened with
sugar.
Medicines. — If the above measures fail to remove it
give a dose of Nux v. Repeat if necessary after a
few hours.
Jaundice. — New-born children are not unfrequently af-
fected with jaundice. It may be brought on by ex-
posure to cold or by the administration of aperients.
Symptoms. — The first symptom noticed is a yellowness
of the whites of the eyes and of the urine. Then the
whole surface of the body becomes yellow, the stools
either confined or too loose, generally light-coloured.
General Treatment. — The child must be kept warm
and in a well- ventilated room.
Medicines. — (Every few hours.)
Cham. — Will often suffice to cure of itself.
Merc. — After Cham, when the latter fails to complete the
cure.
Chin. — After the above, if necessary.
Nux v. — When there is constipation and irritability.
Meconium, Delayed. — Meconium is the name given to
the dark green tarry substance of which the first stool
of the child is composed. It generally comes away a
few hours after birth j the mother's milk slightly ex-
citing the action of the bowels. Sometimes the
evacuation is delayed.
160 INFANTS.
General Treatment. — Retention of the meconium is
sometimes due to imperfection in the passage ; and the
doctor should be asked to ascertain whether this is the
case or not. If the passages are right a few teaspoon-
fuls of warm sugar and water will generally be enough
to cause an evacuation. Purgatives must never be
given ; but if the above measures do not prove suffi-
cient, help will be obtained from the following medi-
cines.
Medicines. — (One or two doses at a few hours' interval
until the effect is produced. This may be given to both
mother and child when the child is at the breast.)
Nnx v. — Should be given first.
Sulph. — After Nux, if necessary.
Bry. — If these prove insufficient.
Milk-Crust. — An eruption of numerous small white pus-
tules appearing in clusters on a red ground. They
generally appear first on the face, especially cheeks
and forehead, whence they sometimes spread over the
entire body. In a short time they become darker in
colour, burst, and form thin yellow crusts. There is
often much redness, swelling, and itching, which renders
the child exceedingly restless and fretful, and causes it
to rub the affected part constantly, by which the scabs
are rubbed off, and the disease is aggravated.
General Treatment. — Only soft water or distilled water
should be used to wash the affected parts with. When
the crust becomes thick, it should be removed with a
linseed poultice. Once a day the part should be
washed with a weak infusion of Viola tricolor. (The
dried plant may be obtained at the chemist's, and the
infusion or "tea" made of it at home.) The child
should be allowed no sweet things, and if it is nursed,
the nurse should eat no sweets or pastry ; she should
INFANTS. 161
also eat little meat, but may have a good supply of fresh
vegetables and milk.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Aeon. — At the beginning, when the eruption is surrounded
with redness and the patient is very restless and uneasy.
Viola tricolor. — In general after Aconite.
Rhus. — Redness and inflammation not subdued by
Aconite or Viola. {Rhus sometimes causes aggravation
of the symptoms. When this occurs, the medicine must
be left off, and, as a rule, improvement will quickly
follow. No more medicine must then be given until
the improvement ceases, when Rhus may be repeated
until improvement again sets in.)
Sulph. — After Rhus, when the latter ceases to benefit.
Ars. — When there are excessive discharges, or when
ulcers form.
Hepar. — Disease extending to nose, face, and neck, or
when the eyes and eyelids are inflamed.
Calc. c. — In fat, lymphatic, fair children, when the disease
is protracted.
Lye. — When there is constipation. .
Restlessness and Wakefulness.— The causes of restless-
ness in infants are : improper feeding — giving either
improper food or too much or too little; improper
feeding on the part of the mother — indulgence in
coffee, wine, rich or spiced food j improper dressing,
and especially if pins are used; want of cleanliness.
It may also be due to inflammation, as of the ear, or to
the sufferings of teething. Care must be taken to
discover if there is any disease present which will require
special treatment.
General Treatment. — The causes named above must
be carefully guarded against. The child must be fed
at regular times, and carefully washed and dressed. It
must not have its head raised, but lie with it low.
L
162 INFANTS.
Medicines. — (Every four hours ; shortly before the hours
of rest are the best times.)
Aeon. — Restlessness, with hot, dry skin.
Coffea. — After Aconite.
Opium. — When there is redness of the face.
Cham. — Flatulence, gripings ; starting, and jerkings of the
limbs ; feverishness, with redness of one cheek.
Bell. — Child appears drowsy, but cannot sleep, or falls
asleep for a few moments, and starts up suddenly and
cries.
Puis. — From overloading the stomach.
Nux v. — From indulgence in coffee or spirituous liquors
on the part of the mother.
Rupture. — Protrusion of a part of the bowel through the
inner abdominal wall, causing a projection under the
skin. This is found in two places — the groin and at
the navel. Both are common in infants. The causes are,
unnatural weakness of the walls of the body, improper
care of the navel, and improper dressing, especially
by tight swaddling bands.
Navel Rupture (Umbilical Hernia). — This is recognized
by an unnatural protrusion of the navel.
Treatment. — The skin must be drawn up over the
swelling from both sides, and two rather broad strips
of strapping drawn over the part crosswise (the strips
crossing each other over the swelling) so as to hold the
skin in that position. This will prevent any protru-
sion, and, the strain being removed, the opening will
contract.
Groin Rupture (Inguinal Hernia). — The treatment for
this is support by means of a truss.
Medicine.
Nux v. — Night and morning.
Scurf on Head. — Some children have a dirty-looking crust
formed on the head, usually beginning at the top.
INFANTS. 163
Under the crust the surface is red and inflamed. It
may be due to want of cleanliness or to keeping the
child too warm. It is, however, sometimes seen in
children who are carefully and regularly washed.
General Treatment. — Rub the part affected with lard
at night and wash in the morning with a weak solution
of soda.
Medicine.
Sulph. — Night and morning.
Snuffles. — This is a common affection in children. It is
a kind of catarrh or "cold" in the head, but it is not
always due to catching cold. It gives great annoyance
to the child, and prevents sucking.
Medicines. — (Night and morning.)
Nux v. — In general.
Cham. — With much running of water from the nose.
Carb. v. — When worse in the evening.
Merc. s. — Sneezing and thickish discharge.
Ant. t. — When there is rattling in the throat, worse at
night, as well as running from the nose.
Spasms or Convulsions. — Infants and children are much
more liable to convulsions than persons in adult life.
These are, therefore, of less significance in early life
than when they occur later. But at any time they are
a serious occurrence, and, whenever possible, medical
aid should be sought without delay. They may occur
in all degrees, from spasmodic twitching of the muscles
of the eyes and face, or of the fingers and toes, and the
thumb being pressed into the palm, or they may be
general, the whole body being thrown into spasms.
The commonest causes are disorders of the stomach
and bowels, and the irritation of dentition.
General Treatment. — If no doctor is at hand, put the
child's legs into water as hot as can be borne, and let
them remain for five or ten minutes until the fit seems
1 64 INFANTS.
to be going off; then let them be wiped perfectly dry
and wrapped in a warm wrapper. If the first immer-
sion is followed by no relief, or a second attack speedily
follows, it should be repeated, and cold water applied
to the child's head at the same time. This may be
repeated several times.
If the cause is known and removable, measures must
be taken to remove it. If it is due to eating indi-
gestible food, such as unripe fruit, an enema of warm
water must be given.
Medicines. — (To be given just as the fit is going off, if it
is short. If it lasts long, or if the patient goes out of
one fit into another, to be given immediately, and
repeated every ten minutes until it has a decided effect,
and then less often.)
Cham. — Convulsive jerking of the limbs; twitching of
muscles of the face and eyelids, with constant motion
of the head from side to side, followed by drowsiness,
with the eyes half closed, and loss of consciousness ;
redness of one cheek and paleness of the other ; con-
stant moaning and craving for drink.
Bell. — Child starts suddenly when asleep, or stares about
wildly ; pupils dilated ; stiffness of one or more of the
limbs or of the whole body ; dryness and burning heat
of forehead and palms of the hands ; involuntary dis-
charge of urine after the return of consciousness;
slightest touch sometimes provokes a new fit ; fit some-
times preceded by smiles and laughter.
Ignat. — Sudden and violent starting from a light sleep
with loud screaming and trembling of the whole body;
when the muscles of single limbs are convulsed, and
there is an occasional spasm of a muscle here and there
in different parts of the body; when the fit returns
every day at the same hour, or every other day about
INFANTS. 165
the same hour, and is followed by fever and perspira-
tion.
Cina. — Delicate children troubled with worms, or in the
habit of wetting the bed ; spasms of the chest, followed
by rigidity of the limbs or whole body; itching at the
nose and anus.
Opium. — Convulsions caused by fright, and attended with
much trembling over the whole body, tossing of the
limbs, and loud screaming during the fits; when the child
lies unconscious as if stunned, or breathes heavily and
with difficulty ; distension of the abdomen, no stool or
urine passed.
Hyos. — Convulsions from sudden fright; twitching of
muscles of face and foaming at the mouth.
Strain. — Convulsions coming suddenly from fright, or,
when occurring in fevers from repelled eruptions, with
tossing of the limbs, and involuntary evacuations of
faeces and urine.
Sulph. — Convulsions from repelled chronic eruptions.
Squinting. — This condition (which is due to loss of power
of one or other of the muscles of the eyes, causing them
to turn inwards or outwards, as the case may be) is com-
monly met with in children, and arises from a variety
of causes. It is often due to worms. Association with
other persons who squint will sometimes cause it. It
follows fever at times. It may be due to the position
of the light with regard to the child's bed : if the light
is always on one side of the bed. It is often an
inherited condition. If the condition is not recovered
from the patient habitually only uses one eye, and thus
the other loses its seeing power, and by degrees becomes
blind. This is a relief; for if the patient saw with both
eyes, the focus of the two being different, he would
never have a clear image.
General Treatment. — In many cases squinting is cured
1 66 INFANTS.
spontaneously— the child " grows out of it," as it is said.
But this must not be trusted to, and if it persists any
length of time, active treatment should be adopted.
During sleep the light should be in front of the child —
that is, the feet should be towards the window. If this
cannot be managed, a screen must be placed at the light
side of the bed. During the day the eye which is un-
affected should be bandaged, thus compelling the child
to use the weaker eye properly. When both eyes turn
outwards, put bits of black court-plaster on the tip of the
nose ; if both turn inwards, put " blinkers " of shining
silk on each side of the head.
Medicines. — (Night and morning.)
Bell. — When there is great heat of the head.
Cina. — When due to worms.
Rhus. — After scarlatina.
Gels. — Squint from other causes, where the eye turns
inward.
Teething or Dentition.— During the period in which the
teeth are making their way through the borders of
the jaws and the gums children are in a more or less
precarious state of health. They are nervous, restless,
and irritable, and are much more liable to suffer from
nervous or other derangements than at ordinary times.
There is often fever and sometimes convulsions ; diar-
rhoea is also frequently met with. There is difficulty in
sucking ; the child is apt to bite the nipple suddenly.
There is constant flow of saliva from the mouth.
There are twenty teeth in the first set. The two
middle (incisors) lower teeth usually appear first, at
about six months old. Then the corresponding teeth
(middle incisors) in the upper jaw, at about seven
months. Very soon after these come the two lateral
lower incisors, and after these the lateral upper incisors,
the eight incisor teeth being complete about the ninth
INFANTS. 167
or tenth month. After this there is a pause of about
two months. In the twelfth or fourteenth month the
first four jaw-teeth (bicuspids), two below and two
above, are cut; and soon after these, and springing
between the latter and the outer incisors, the four eye-
teeth, or canines. This leaves only the four back-teeth
(molars or " grinders " proper), which are cut at two or
two and a half years.
There is often great irregularity in the times ot
appearance of the teeth. Some children are born with
teeth, and some do not get any till they are more than
a year old.
General Treatment. — Healthy children who are well
cared for need not suffer at all during the period. The
effect of teething is to put the child into a state in which
he is most susceptible to disease, rather than to induce
actual disease. The salivation and looseness of the
bowels (provided the latter be not excessive) need not
be regarded as diseases. The mother or nurse should
pay great attention to her way of living, and avoid all
indigestible or stimulating foods and drinks, especially
spirituous and malt liquors. The child must be nursed
at regular times, the nursery must be well ventilated,
and whenever the weather is suitable the child must be
taken out into the open air. Lancing the gums may be
resorted to at times in children who are weak and
irritable. It should only be done when the tooth can
be felt, and the cut should be made down through the
gum to the point of the tooth.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours; oftener or less
often according to the urgency or otherwise of the
symptoms.)
Aeon. — Fever, with much restlessness, sleeplessness, and
pain, the child crying and starting.
Bell. — Convulsions. The convulsion is followed by sound
168 INFANTS.
sleep, which continues for a time, or until another fit
comes on. The child starts suddenly from sleep as if
frightened, and looks around as if terrified ; pupils
large, eyes fixed, the whole body becomes stiff; burning
heat in palms of hands and temples.
Cham. — The most useful of all medicines in teething.
Child very uneasy at night ; tosses about ; wants drink
often ; spasmodic jerks and twitches of the limbs during
sleep ; starts at slightest noise ; general heat ; redness
of one cheek, or of the eyes ; moaning j agitation ; short,
quick, noisy breathing and oppression of the chest;
hacking cough; mouth dry and hot; diarrhoea, with
watery, slimy, and greenish stools ; worse at night.
Ignat. — Child rouses from light sleep with piercing cries,
and trembles all over ; frequent flushes of heat, followed
by sweat; convulsive jerkings of single limbs.
Cina. — Wetting the bed at night; grinding teeth; rub-
bing the nose ; hard, distended abdomen ; hard, dry
cough.
Ipec. — Nausea and vomiting, with diarrhoea; stools are
mixed of different colours.
Merc. — Copious salivation ; red gums ; green stools, with
straining.
Calc. c. — Teeth slow in appearing ; especially suited to fair
children inclined to be fat.
Sulph. — Stools whitish, or hot and sour-smelling, excori-
ating the part.
Urine, Retained. — One of the first things for the nurse
to observe is whether the child passes water properly.
It not unfrequently happens that the water is retained,
and the doctor's attention should at once be called to
the fact.
General Treatment. — The common cause of reten-
tion is a narrow foreskin, and it may be advisable to
INFANTS. 169
have the operation of circumcision performed. When
the cause is not mechanical, medicines will generally
give relief. These may be given until medical help can
be obtained.
Medicines. — (Every twenty minutes until relieved.)
Aeon. — To begin with.
Puis. — If Aeon, fails after a few doses.
Vaccination. — Vaccination is the operation by which the
disease called " vaccinia," or cow-pox, is communicated
either to human beings or animals. There is a good
deal of obscurity surrounding the question of the origin
of the present supply of vaccine matter, and whether it
is cow-pox, or horse-pox (as maintained by Jenner),
or merely modified small-pox, the author cannot under-
take to decide. But whatever its origin, inoculation
with vaccine matter induces the disease now known
by the name. This disease is characterized by the
appearance a few days after inoculation of redness
and swelling at the point where it was done, the
development of a vesicle which becomes a pustule,
swelling of the lymphatic glands in the neighbour-
hood, and swelling of the limb. These symptoms are
attended with fever, varying in intensity and amount,
and other constitutional symptoms, such as loss of
appetite and disorder of the stomach. Generally, the
acute symptoms subside in a few days, the pustules
dry up, a scab forms, and, in three weeks after the
inoculation, falls off, leaving the characteristic scar.
But this is not always the course of the disease. Occa-
sionally, instead of the ordinary vesicle and pustule, a
hard ulcerating sore is formed, which lasts much longer
than the ordinary time. Sometimes a general eruption
something like small-pox may come out as well as the
vesicle at the part vaccinated. A more common
170 INFANTS.
occurrence than either of these is a great increase of
the redness which always surrounds the vesicles when
the inflammation is at its height. The whole limb may
become red and swollen, and this may extend beyond
the limb. The inflammation may spread to the' chest
from the arm, and then the condition is one of great
danger. When the lungs are attacked with bronchitis
under these conditions the child rarely recovers.
Cow-pox is a blood disease, and, like all blood
diseases, is liable to leave effects behind it when its
proper symptoms have passed away. The chief sequelce
(as the remote effects of a disease are called) of vaccinia
are an alteration of the constitution, which is met with
in some patients after vaccination, rendering them less
strong and more liable to catch ordinary complaints,
and more severely affected by them when they do catch
them ; and a very obstinate kind of eczema. The
risk of contamination with other human blood diseases
may be avoided by using only calf vaccine. This, how-
ever, may transmit diseases of animals. In my opinion
vaccination does render a person less liable to be
affected with small-pox, but the protection is not any-
thing like absolute, and vaccinia itself is a serious
disease. So serious a disease is it, and so great are
the risks attending it, that no one ought to be compelled
to undergo it, or to have his children vaccinated against
his will.
General Treatment. — After vaccination a child should
be kept warm and in well-ventilated rooms, and should
be taken out in the open air whenever possible. When
the pustule begins to appear great care should be taken
not to rub it in any way. The " shields " sold by the
chemists are useful for protecting the arm from being
chafed by the sleeve. If the arm is very red and in-
flamed, and the sore looks angry, a little vaseline may
be smeared on the inflamed part.
INFANTS. 171
Medicines.
Silica. — (Every two hours until relieved.) For the acute
symptoms — swelling of the arm and of the glands;
eruptions.
Thuja. — (Once or twice a day.) For the remote conse-
quences— chronic eruptions and constitutional effects.
Weaning. — The best time for weaning children is when
they are ten months old. By this time the teeth are
so far developed as to be able to chew. If the mother
is delicate, and her milk not good, the child should be
weaned much earlier — as soon as this is discovered, in
fact. And if the child is delicate and suffering from the
troubles of teething, weaning must be delayed till it is
in better condition.
Before the time for weaning comes the child may be
allowed to exercise its teeth on other food besides its
mother's milk, so that it will be in a measure prepared
for the change. The diet should consist of milk chiefly.
Bread and milk, rusks and milk, milk pudding. See
also CHILDREN, Feeding of.
The mother should be very careful of her diet until
the secretion of milk has ceased, and live as low as
possible. If the breasts become distended and painful,
they must be drawn occasionally, and rubbed with
camphorated oil.
Medicine.
Puis. — Given every four hours. This will arrest the
secretion of milk. See also BREASTS.
Whites. — It is not uncommon for little girls to be affected
with a discharge of whitish mucus, like the whites of
adults. It is usually due to some constitutional weak-
ness, or else to neglect of proper cleanliness.
General Treatment. — Frequent washing with luke-
warm water will generally suffice to remove it.
Medicines. — Give a few doses of Calc. carl?., if it per-
172 INFLUENZA— IN-GROWING TOE-NAIL.
sists, and let this be followed by Puis, if Calc. does not
complete the cure.
INFLUENZA. See COLD.
INFLUENZA (EPIDEMIC).— This is an infectious and
contagious disease, depending on blood-poisoning by a
specific contagion. The symptoms are fever, pains all
over the body, especially the head and eyes ; foul
tongue, disordered stomach and bowels, and great
weakness ; symptoms of cough and cold.
General Treatment. — Rest in bed, warmth, support
with nourishment in a digestible form.
Medicines. — (Every hour when the symptoms are
urgent.)
Aeon. — Ac the beginning.
Mere. sol. — When sore throat is a prominent symptom.
Arsen. — When there is much coryza, thirst, low, typhoid
condition and prostration. (Arsem'eum, if taken two
or three times a day when an epidemic is present, will
generally ward off an attack.)
IN-GROWING TOE-NAIL.— This is usually a consequence
of cutting the nail at the sides too close to the quick.
The result is ulceration of the part around the nail,
which the continued pressure of the edge of the nail
prevents healing.
General Treatment. — After washing the foot scrape the
nail in the centre as thin as possible without hurting,
and then cut the nail away in the centre, leaving the
sides uncut. Place under the nail a piece of linen
tape, so as to raise the sides of the nails, and prevent
them growing into the sore or ulcerated parts.
Medical TREATMENT. — Apply to the sore part ointment
of Hydrastis (3j of the <f> tincture to an ounce of vaseline,
or prepared lard), and give internally^, nit. every two
three hours.
INTERMITTENT FEVER— ITCH. 173
INTERMITTENT FEVER. S<r AGUE.
INTOXICATION. S# DRUNKENNESS.
ITCH. — A good many skin affections, characterized by irrita-
tion and minute vesicles and pustules, are included under
the term "itch," as popularly used. Strictly speaking,
the term should only be applied to the specific disease
called Scabies, which is due to the presence of the itch-
mite, called Acarus scabiti. This mite is almost too
small to be seen by the naked eye, but the female bur-
rows in the skin, and there lays her eggs, and the
burrows can be made out. The discovery of these
burrows, or of the mite itself, is the only sure means of
diagnosing the disease. When diagnosed, the treatment
is simple — namely, to kill the mite by external applica-
tions. If there is a mistake in the diagnosis external
applications may do harm. Sometimes when the eruption
is very extensive, it is not so easy to get rid of the irri-
tation set up by the parasite ; when there is constitu-
tional tendency to skin disease, it may last long after
the mite itself has disappeared.
General Treatment. — As soon as the disease is dis-
covered, the patient should take a bath in hot water,
and soap well all over. When dry he should anoint
himself with oil of lavender, which kills both insects and
eggs. He should then have a complete change of bed-
linen and under-linen. This will in most cases suffice
to remove the disease. A second application may be
required. If the skin irritation does not subside when
the cause is removed, there is a constitutional element
in the case which will require constitutional treatment.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Sulph. — This is the most useful remedy in a general way;
the irritation is aggravated by warmth of the bed.
Merc. — If the eruption becomes eczematous, or if the
pustules become large.
174 ITCHING.
ITCHING. — This is generally a symptom of some other
disease, but it may constitute a disease in itself, when
it is called prurigo.
General Treatment. — Wash frequently in warm water,
with soap. If particular parts are affected, rub them
with olive oil ; if the itching is more troublesome at
night, wash the parts with brandy; if the whole body
is affected, wash in water in which spirit of camphor
has been mixed (an ounce to a pint).
Medicines. — (Every night, if it comes on at night ; morning
and night, if at other times.)
Sulph. — The remedy most generally useful.
Nux v. — Itching commences on undressing.
Arsen. — After Nux, if not sufficient.
/gnat. — After getting into bed, as if caused by insects ;
when scratched, the itching moves from place to place.
Puis. — Coming on when warm in bed.
Merc. — When warm in bed and continuing all night,
scratching causes bleeding.
Rhus. — Intense burning with the itching.
ITCHING OF ANUS.— When this is due to the presence
of worms in the lower bowel or to piles, these affections
must be treated, and the itching will disappear with
them. When the itching arises independently, special
treatment must be adopted.
General Treatment. — Let the patient abstain from
sugar, pastry, and rich foods of all kinds. Rub the
part at night with sweet oil. If this fails to allay the
irritation, use instead Verbascum ointment (a teaspoon-
ful of Verbascum cf> to two table-spoonfuls of fresh lard).
Medicines. — (Night and morning.)
Nux v. — Worse sitting or moving ; after taking stimulants
and spiced food or coffee. In sedentary people; in
pregnancy; if the anus is so constricted that natural
JAUNDICE. 175
stools are passed with great difficulty; dull shooting
pains or jerking in the small of the back.
Sulph. — Itching, burning pain and soreness in and around
the anus ; moisture, feeling of fulness and heaviness,
and sometimes prolapse j constant straining ; stinging
pains in the small of the back j stiffness of the back.
Ignat. — Great irritation; tendency to prolapse ; in nervous,
hysterical, taciturn, feeble-minded, and dejected sub-
jects.
JAUNDICE. — When from any cause the bile secreted by
the liver is unable to pass away by its natural channels
into the intestines, there to mix with the food, it is
absorbed into the blood, and carried all over the body,
part of it being eliminated by the kidneys, and, passing
away by the urine, to which it gives a deep stain, and
part of it finding its way into all the tissues of the
body, and turning them yellow. This condition is
called jaundice. It is sometimes a symptom of disease
of the liver itself, but generally due to an affection of
the bile ducts, temporarily preventing the passing away
of the bile. According to the cause of the jaundice will
be the gravity of the case, and the general symptoms of the
patient will decide which it is. When jaundice comes
on suddenly, and the health is not severely impaired,
fever being present or not, it is simple jaundice. It
may arise from many causes, among which may be
named — A chill, acute indigestion, a fit of passion, the
action of drugs, such as mercury and cinchona.
The symptoms of jaundice are, first and foremost, the yel-
lowness of the tissues. This is first seen in the whites of
the eyes, but rapidly spreads over the whole surface of
the body. When overflow of bile becomes very intense
the colour passes from yellow to green. Other symp-
toms are derangement of the digestion, loaded tongue,
often vomiting, loss of appetite, and constipation, the
176 JOY, EFFECT OF— KIDNEYS.
stools being quite devoid of colour when they pass. As
the patient gets better all these symptoms gradually
subside, but the discoloration of the skin is often a long
time in passing away.
General Treatment. — The patient must be kept in
bed, and fed on the lightest diet — barley-water, thin
gruel, skim-milk. If there is much itching, sponging
with vinegar and hot water (one pint in six) is agree-
able.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Bry. — Great pain and tenderness in liver region ; patient
cannot bear to be moved ; relief from lying on affected
side.
Merc. — The most useful medicine, if it has not been already
abused.
Chi. — If mercury is the cause.
Hepar. — If China is not sufficient.
Sulph. — In irritable persons who are subject to the disease
on the slightest irritation.
Cham. — When arising from fits of passion.
Nux v. — If Cham, is insufficient.
Opium. — Great itching; violent attacks of yawning.
JOY, EFFECT OY.—Coffea every half-hour.
KIDNEYS. — The kidneys are liable to diseases of many
kinds. They are all serious, and should not be treated
without medical advice. Perhaps the commonest is
congestion, due to chill, the symptoms of which are
suppression of urine or great diminution in its quantity,
and pain in the back ; often there is vomiting at the
same time.
The Treatment for this is to put the patient to bed, with
hot bottles to his feet, and hot flannels to the small of
the back, and plenty of blankets over him; the lightest
of light diet, and Aconite every half-hour until the doctor
can be summoned.
KNEE, SWELLING OF— LIVER. 177
KNEE, SWELLING OF.— In general, swelling of the knee
is due to Rheumatism, under which heading the treat-
ment will be referred to. In children, swelling of the
knee, when not due to rheumatism, is a symptom of
disease of the bone or cartilages. It is often called
White Swelling. This is a very serious disease, and
demands great attention from the outset, as it may be
arrested if taken at the beginning.
General Treatment. — The child's general health must
be attended to. It should receive generous diet, abun-
dance of milk and cream, and should be given cod-liver
oil, if it does not disagree. If possible, it should be
sent to some dry, high-lying locality or chalky soil.
It should be out in the open air as much as possible,
in a bath -chair or other easy carriage.
Medicines. — A dose of Sulph. should be given night and
morning for a fortnight, to be followed by CaU., given
in the same way.
LABOUR. See CHILD-BIRTH.
LAUGHTER, UNCONTROLLABLE. — Croc, every ten
minutes. Phos. in the same way, when there is laugh-
ing at serious things.
LIPS. — The lips are subject to become sore, cracked, dry,
and scaly, or swollen, sometimes in connection with
cold, sometimes independently.
General Treatment. — The best application for sore
lips, in a general way, is VaseWie, to be applied at
bed-time.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Nat. m. — Sore lips from cold ; " cold blisters"; crack in
the centre of the lips ; swelling of upper lip.
Arsen. — Scurfiness or rawness round the red of the lips.
Hepar. — Swelling of the upper lip.
LIVER. — The liver is liable to become deranged by many
causes, chiefly indiscretions in diet. This will be
M
178 LIVER.
found discussed under the heading BILIOUSNESS.
The liver may also be the seat of Pain or Inflamma-
tion.
Liver, Pain in. — Pains under the ribs of the right side,
shooting up into the chest, or downwards into the liver,
and associated with pain in the space between the
shoulder-blades, arise from the liver.
General Treatment. — If the pains are severe, rest in
bed will be necessary, light diet, avoiding all rich or
fat food. Application of dry heat to the part where the
pain proceeds from.
Medicines. — (Every hour, until relieved.)
Aeon. — If with the pain there is feverishness, restlessness,
and an anxious frame of mind.
Bry. — Pressure, pain in the liver region (under the ribs
of the right side), fulness and tension ; pain made worse
by movement and breathing ; oppression of the chest ;
thickly coated tongue, white or yellowish, bitter taste
in mouth.
Merc. — Pressure, pain not allowing patient to lie on the
right side ; bitter taste in the mouth ; want of appetite;
continued shivering.
Sulph. — If the case drags, Sulph. may be given for a day
or two.
Liver, Inflammation of. — When the above symptoms
are present in aggravated form, and the fever is high,
inflammation is present. The same treatment is ap-
plicable, and should be persevered in until medical aid
can be obtained.
Inflammation of the liver, when following dysentery
or Indian fevers, generally ends in the formation of
abscess of the liver, which is an exceedingly dangerous
disease. The ordinary inflammation which affects the
capsule (the covering membrane) of the liver does
not tend to form abscess. An exudation is thrown
out on the surface, and the consequence of this may
LOCK-JAW— LUNGS. 179
be adhesion to the abdominal wall. The symptoms of
this are much the same as those described above under
Pain in the Liver, and the same medicines, when the
symptoms indicate them, must be given. In Abscess
the principal medicines are Hepar and Mercurius.
When the abscess points externally, it will be neces-
sary to treat the case surgically, and make an opening
into the liver to let the matter out.
LOCK- J AW. — After injuries or operations an affection of
the nervous centres is apt to supervene, resulting in
throwing all the muscles of the body into a state of
rigid contraction. The first symptoms of this are
usually seen in the muscles of the face and jaws,
causing tight closing of the latter, so that the patient
is unable to open his mouth. This is always a con-
dition of great danger, and should be at once reported
to the attending physician or surgeon.
General Treatment. — The wound should be looked
to, cleansed thoroughly, and washed with Caleridula
lotion. (One part of the tincture to ten of water.)
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
Aeon. — If there is fever, restlessness, or fear of death.
Ignat. — If fretful and irritable.
Nux v. — Spasms, excited by the lightest touch.
LUMBAGO. ^BACK.
LUNGS, BLEEDING FROM.— It is not by any means
always that spitting of blood means bleeding from the
lungs. The blood may come from the back of the
nose, from the throat, or from the mouth itself. Streaks
of blood in the expectoration in cases of bronchitis or
inflammation of the lungs do not signify much ; it is a
common symptom of these complaints. Bleeding
from the lungs, when it is of any amount, is accom-
panied by chest symptoms. It appears to the patient
to come from a considerable depth ; it is warm, gene-
i8o LUNGS.
rally tastes sweet, the taste being experienced before
the blood comes up. At times there is a painful,
burning sensation in the chest.
Bleeding from the lungs, though always alarming, is
not so immediately dangerous as is commonly supposed.
Even when large quantities come up it is not usually
fatal at the time.
Diagnosis. — Bleeding from the lungs (blood-spitting,
Hemoptysis) is distinguished from bleeding from the
stomach (vomiting blood, Hcematemesis) by the pre-
sence of cough and chest symptoms, notably rattling
sounds heard on listening to the chest, and by the
blood being either pure or mixed with frothy phlegm.
In blood-vomiting the blood is not brought up by a
cough, but by an act of vomiting, and it is generally
blacker, and altered by the action of the digestive
fluids. In bleeding from the nose, blood may run
down the throat in sleep, and may be brought up by
vomiting, but in this case there is generally blood to
be found on the handkerchief on blowing the nose, or
a history of previous nose-bleeding.
General Treatment. — Bleeding from the lungs is almost
always one of the accidents of consumption. But it is
an accident which requires special treatment. It some-
times results from a blow on the chest. Though not
so dangerous as it is usually considered, it is always so
serious as to demand prompt treatment. As soon as
the first symptoms appear, absolute rest must be en-
joined, the patient lying with the head and chest well
supported with pillows. The room must be kept cold
and well aired, and only cold food of the lightest de-
scription and cold drinks taken. When the bleeding
comes on the patient must be given ice to swallow ;
cloths dipped in ice-water should be applied to the
lower abdomen.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour.)
LUNGS. 181
Aeon.— Full sensation in the chest, agitation, uneasiness,
anxious, pale countenance ; when the slightest attempt
to clear the throat brings up blood.
Ipec. — Taste of blood, with short cough ; mucus mixed
with blood ; nausea and weakness.
Am. — If caused by violence ; blood clotted, and raised
easily; when the blood is bright red, frothy, mixed
with small clots and mucus, raised with slight cough ;
coughing produces shooting pains in the head, and all
the ribs feel as if bruised.
Phos. — Frequent bleedings of small amount.
Ham. — Dark, clotted blood.
Lungs, Consumption of. See CONSUMPTION.
Lungs, Inflammation of. — The first symptom of Inflam-
mation of the Lungs — or Pneumonia, as it is techni-
cally called — is a severe chill, followed soon by fever,
which continues. The breathing becomes rapid,
and pain in the side is complained of. There is a
frequent cough, sometimes in long spells. At first the
cough is dry, afterwards tough mucus, coloured like
rust, is brought up. The patient lies on the back, or
on the side affected ; he wants to be let alone. The
face is deeply flushed. When left to itself, pneumonia
either goes on to death, or, more commonly, there is,
after three or four days, a sudden subsidence of the
symptoms; the fever disappears, the skin, instead of
being dry, perspires profusely, and the pain and dis-
tress disappear, and the cough becomes loose. Under
proper treatment the symptoms may be modified from
the first, the dangerous crisis is never approached, and
the decline of the disease is gradual.
Diagnosis. — Inflammation of the lungs must be distin-
tinguished from pleurisy and bronchitis. For the dis-
tinctive signs of each of these diseases, see tinder
BRONCHITIS.
182 LUNGS.
General Treatment. — The treatment of pneumonia is
the treatment of all acute fevers — rest in bed, light diet
of milk, gruel, beef-tea, sponging two or three times a
day with hot water (in which one-sixth part of vinegar
may be mixed — unless aconite is being taken, as vinegar
antidotes aconite), and, if the pain is severe, poultices
to the side affected. Poultices should not be applied
continuously. A linseed poultice should be allowed to
remain on as long as it keeps hot, and after it is taken
off medicated cotton-wool applied and kept on for two
hours. Poultices applied in this way interruptedly have
better effect than if continuously applied.
Medicines. — (Every hour, or even half-hour, according
to the urgency of the symptoms, the intervals between
the doses being increased as they subside.)
Aeon. — In the beginning, hot, burning skin ; hard, full,
and frequent pulse; rapid breathing and violent thirst;
great anxiety, either accompanied by pain in the chest
or not ; dry cough.
Bry. — After Aeon. ; cough, with expectoration of tough
mucus of a reddish or rusty colour ; great difficulty of
breathing, and stitches in the side or chest; pain in-
creased by movement ; mouth dry, yellowish or dark-
coated tongue, great thirst and constipation.
Phos. — Cough painful, chest oppressed, breath crackling,
heart-beats frequent, rusty expectoration.
Sulph. — Useful after other medicines, especially Aeon. ;
frequent faint spells ; flashes of heat ; heat on the top
of the head ; when the disease remains stationary.
Antim. tart. — Especially suitable for old people and in-
fants; oppression of the chest ; much rattling of mucus;
expectoration of frothy mucus ; great weakness, nausea,
tendency to vomit ; liver pain.
Arsen. — When the fever takes on a low type — Typhoid
pneumonia, as it is called. Delirium, stupor, prostra-
tion, dry tongue ; anxious restlessness ; much thirst,
MEGRIM— MEASLES. 183
the patient drinking only small quantities at a time ;
face pale and anxious.
Lycopod. — Typhoid pneumonia when the cough is loose,
or a constant hacking; face red in circumscribed
patches ; sweat without relief; patient always worse in
the afternoon. Lycopod. is also useful for clearing away
the remains of the pneumonia when all the acute symp-
toms have gone.
Rhus. — In typhoid pneumonia when there is extreme
restlessness, tearing cough, tongue red at the tip, great
drowsiness.
MEGRIM, or MIGRAINE. See, under HEADACHE, Sick
Headache.
MEASLES. — An eruptive fever depending on a specific
contagion, which has not yet been discovered. After
exposure to infection the disease takes from ten to
fourteen days to manifest itself. The first symptoms
are those of a common cold, with a short, dry, dis-
tressing cough. In from two to five days the eruption
appears. It comes out first on the forehead at the
hair-roots, or behind the ears, in small raised red spots,
which gradually spread over all the body, numbers of
them joining in forming crescent-shaped patches. In
about four days from its appearance it begins to die
away, and leaves bran-like scales, which, however, are
so fine that they may escape notice. These scales are
not infectious, like those which come off after scarlatina.
With the first catarrhal symptoms of measles there is
often high fever. Before the eruption comes out it
frequently subsides, returning with the eruption, and
increasing as the eruption spreads. The catarrhal symp-
toms increase at the same time ; the tongue is loaded,
there is often nausea and vomiting, and diarrhoea ; the
cough becomes more troublesome, and robs the patient
of rest. As the eruption fades, in favourable cases, the
1 84 MEASLES.
other symptoms leave the patient. But this does not
always follow. Measles is peculiarly apt to leave
behind it other diseases — of the ears, the eyes, the
chest, and the glands — and if these come on the fever
remains till the acute stage has passed away. It is the
risk of these attendant diseases that makes measles
such a serious disease.
Diagnosis. — The catarrhal symptoms are the chief char-
acteristic of measles as distinguishing it from scarlatina
— the watering at the eyes, cold in the head, and cough.
The eruption also appears differently ; it comes first on
the forehead, behind the ears, and on the face; in
scarlatina it appears first on the chest. German
measles has fewer catarrhal symptoms — more sore
throat and less distinctly spotty character of eruption ;
also the symptoms of German measles are generally
less severe than those of either measles or scarlatina.
In the preliminary stage of measles, when there is
nothing but catarrh present, it is impossible to dis-
tinguish it from an ordinary influenza cold or the
beginning of whooping cough. Generally, however,
the fact of measles being about is enough to excite
suspicion, and cause the attendant to be on the look-
out for spots.
General Treatment. — Uncomplicated measles requires
little treatment of any kind. Keep the patient in
bed, in a darkened, but well-ventilated room, out of
draughts, and well wrapped up. On no account must
he be exposed to catching cold. The hands and face
may be sponged once or twice a day, but no other wash-
ing must be indulged in until the fever has gone. Un-
less the case is prolonged, the body-linen must not be
changed, and a bed-pan must be used for the evacuations.
The diet must be the usual fever diet — gruel, barley-
water, milk, and beef-tea, with plain water to drink, as
much as the patient desires.
MEMORY. 185
Medicines. — (Every hour or two according to urgency.)
Aeon. — At the beginning. If the fever is violent, hot, dry
skin; heat in head, giddiness, redness of eyes, great
weakness.
Bell. — Throat sore, with thirst j difficulty of swallowing ;
shooting, pinching pains in throat j dry, hacking, spas-
modic cough j worse at night j congestion to the head ;
delirium.
Puis. — When the catarrhal or " cold " symptoms are very
marked ; desire to be uncovered.
Bry. — Congestion to the chest, and shooting pains or
stitches, increased by taking a deep inspiration, with
violent dry cough.
Sulph. — If the eruption fails to come out properly after
Aeon, or Puis. ; where there is congestion of the lungs.
For sequels of measles, see BRONCHITIS, COUGH,
EARS, EYES, GLANDS.
MEMORY, WEAKNESS OF.— This is generally a symp-
tom of general weakness, and is best corrected by
remedies that are suited to the constitutional state.
General Treatment. — When it is the result of over-
taxed brain, cessation from mental labour, with generous
feeding and open-air life, is the remedy. If the bodily
powers are exhausted also, complete rest in bed for a
week must be enforced before active exercise is allowed.
When loss of memory arises in connection with general
DEBILITY, the treatment described under that head-
ing must be enjoined. When loss of memory is the
only permanent symptom of the case, one or other of
the following remedies will help : —
Medicines. — (Two or three times daily.)
Aeon. — When caused by fright.
Staph. — After vexation.
Am. — From a blow on the head.
Nux v. — From indulgence in spirituous liquors.
Nux m. — In people who are always chilly.
186 MENSTRUATION.
MENSTRUATION.— From the age of fourteen to the age
of forty-five women are subject to a discharge of bloody
fluid every four weeks. The age at which it commences
is sometimes earlier and sometimes later than fourteen,
and the same maybe said of the period of its cessation.
The ages named are the average, and any variation
from these must not be regarded as meaning disease.
The duration of the period during which the flow
occurs is about five days, but this again is subject to
great variation, as is the interval between the times.
Only when the variations are extreme do they constitute
disease. Most women feel a little restless for a few
hours before the flow commences. This is relieved
when the flow is fully established, and when it is over
a feeling of well-being succeeds. This again is the
normal progress of the period ; but, like everything
else connected with it, this is also subject to variation.
The slight malaise may be increased to fainting and
prostration; the period may be preceded or accom-
panied or followed by pain in the body or the back or
distant parts of all degrees from very trifling up to most
agonizing. The flow may also vary in its character as
well as in its time of duration. Sometimes it lasts for a
day and sometimes fourteen days : it may be thin and
scarcely coloured or it may be in clots. Each of these
peculiarities as it constitutes disease will be discussed
below. When menstruation is natural and healthy all
that need be done is to take especial care not to take
a chill during the time that it lasts. The clothing must
be warm, and all exciting or exhausting pursuits must
be as far as possible avoided. Sea-bathing must be
particularly avoided. This caution is needful for strong
young women, who have such confidence in their
strength that they think they can do anything. The
most severe consequences have followed this. The
affections incidental to the period divide themselves
MENSTRUATION. 187
into the following headings :— Appearing Late, Deficient
(Scanty, Absent, or Checked), Excessive, and Painful.
Appearing Late. — The late appearance of the menses need
cause no alarm if the general health does not suffer.
Quack nostrums which are advertised for bringing them
on must never be taken. Many a young woman has had
her health completely destroyed by having recourse to
these. A temperate mode of life, the avoidance of all
alcoholic stimulants, coffee, and green tea ; care in
clothing, especially seeing that the feet are kept warm
and dry ; moderate open-air exercise — these are the
best means to preserve the general health and favour
the natural functions. It often happens that the state
of the general health is the cause of their non-appear-
ance. When, in addition to their absence, there are
other bodily ailments, the following medicines will be
found useful : —
Medicines. — (Two or three times daily.)
Puis. — Suited to patients of a mild and easy disposition.
Pain in lower part of abdomen and across the small of
the back; giddiness, fulness about the head and eyes ;
chilliness, cold hands and feet \ sour taste in the mouth
after eating; nausea and vomiting; loss of appetite,
with desire for acids, and palpitation ; disinclination
for exercise, alternate laughing and crying, sadness,
melancholy, painfulness of the head ; the symptoms are
worse in the afternoon and before midnight ; pains fre-
quently change from one place to another; symptoms
are better in the open air while exercising.
Sulph. — After Puis., when the latter has been insufficient,
and in all cases which drag, especially if the patient
complains of heat in the head, giddiness, and palpita-
tion, short breath, loss of appetite, sickness after eating,
loss of flesh, and depression.
Verat. — Cold hands and feet ; disposition to diarrhoea.
Phos. — Delicate women, slightly made, weak chest, lively
188 MENSTRUATION.
disposition, and tendency to lung disease; hacking
cough with expectoration of blood at the period when
the menses might be expected.
Deficient (Scanty, Absent, or Checked). — In low condi-
tions of health, and in the course of all wasting diseases,
the menses are apt to disappear, gradually becoming
scantier and paler each month, and at last ceasing alto-
gether. When the health is restored the courses will
reappear without any special treatment. In this case
the general health is all that needs to be attended to.
For the special condition known as Green-sickness or
Chlorosis, see ANJEMIA. When the courses cease sud-
denly whilst the woman is otherwise in a state of health
the condition is in itself more serious. The chief causes
are exposure to cold, and especially getting cold feet,
fatigue, and powerful mental emotions. Usually it is
accompanied by constitutional symptoms, and needs
proper attention, or serious disease of some kind, such
as internal inflammation, will result.
General Treatment. — This is chiefly preventive.
Women must be especially careful about the time of
the period to avoid chilling and over-fatigue. The
feet must be kept warm, and the shoes must be good.
Rapid cold sponging in the morning, followed by brisk
rubbing, may be allowed, if the woman is used to a
morning cold bath ; but there must be no getting into
cold water. Sea-bathing is especially dangerous. If
a chill has been taken, a hot foot-bath must be taken
at once, and if that does not suffice to restore warmth
to the whole body she must be put into a warm bed,
with a hot bottle to the feet, and covered with a good
supply of blankets. Hot drinks must be given at the
same time.
Medicines.— -(Every hour till reaction sets in. Then at
increasing intervals.)
Aeon. — After a chill or fright ; the special indications are.
MENSTRUATION. 189
congestion of blood to the head and face ; redness of
the face j giddiness, nausea, faintness ; throbbing or
shooting pains in the head, sometimes attended with
stupor or delirium, feverishness, restlessness, hot, dry
skin. If Aconite is taken at once when a chill has
been taken, all the effects will be warded off.
Fuls. — If Aeon, has not been taken at the first, Puis, is
the chief remedy. It is especially useful after exposure
to cold and damp, tire chief indications being headache,
chiefly on one side, with pains extending to the face,
ears, and teeth ; palpitation ; feeling of suffocation ;
flushes of heat ; nausea and vomiting ; pressure at the
lower abdomen ; frequent desire to pass water ; whites.
It is especially suitable for persons of mild, easy dis-
position, with a tendency to shed tears, and melancholy.
Verat. — In nervous headache ; hysterical affections ; fre-
quent nausea and vomiting ; pale, earthy colour of the
face ; coldness of the hands, feet, or nose j great weak-
ness, with fainting fits.
Nat. mur. — In debilitated, anaemic subjects, chills, cold
feet, tendency to constipation.
Sulph. — Pain in the loins ; paralysis and weakness of the
limbs ; irritability of temper or disposition to melan-
choly ; pressing headache, at the back or over the
eyes ; heat and throbbing in the head ; confusion,
giddiness ; dim vision ; dark circles round the eyes ;
voracious appetite ; sour stomach ; sour and burning
eructations ; heaviness in the abdomen ; constipation,
with tendency to piles.
Excessive. — Under this heading are classed cases in which
the flow is too copious though the period is not pro-
longed; those in which it is too copious, and the period
also prolonged ; and those in which the periods recur too
frequently, whether the flow is too copious or the time
too prolonged or not. The effect of a woman losing
too much every month is, as might be expected, the
1 9o MENSTRUATION.
inducing of a state of languor which is hardly recovered
from during the intervals. It is generally accompanied
by pains in the back and body, and in the interval
there is apt to be leucorrhoea.
General Treatment. — This will consist in care of the
general health both during the interval and during the
period. Warm clothing and generous, unstimulating diet
are essential ; cold sponge-bath in the morning during
the intervals, followed by brisk rubbing with a rough
towel, if reaction can be obtained. During the period
the patient should lie down as much as possible.
Medicines. — (Three times a day during the interval ;
every two hours during the period.)
Calc. c. — When the period is always before its time and
too copious. In chilly subjects ; pale, cold, clammy
hands and feet.
Nat. mur. — Profuse flow ; in anaemic subjects with earthy
complexion, tendency to constipation ; chilly.
Ipec. — Profuse discharge of bright red blood ; when there
is nausea.
Crocus. — Dark, clotted, stringy, very copious, too early.
Sabina. — Too profuse, too early ; flow commencing and
leaving again ; pain in body.
China. — Accompanied with great debility; flow excessive
and lasting a long time ; debility afterwards.
Painful. — Most women feel a certain amount of discom-
fort at some part or other of the period, but in the
majority it is not of such a degree as to constitute
disease. Only when it is so serious as to interfere
with the discharge of the usual duties does it need
special attention. The pain is experienced severely in
the lower abdomen, in the loins, lower part of the
back, and in the limbs. It is of various characters —
colicky, spasmodic, grinding, pressing, dragging, or
bearing down.
General Treatment. — Painful menstruation, or Dys~
MILK. 191
menorrhoea, as it is called, is often an expression of a
low state of general health, just as neuralgia is, and
often means over-work and under-feeding. When these
conditions are remedied, the affection disappears, and
the period is passed through without difficulty. When
attention to the general health is not sufficient to
remedy the evil, recourse must be had to medicines.
Medicines. — (Every hour during the attack, or oftener if
the pains are very severe ; two or three times a day
during the interval.)
Caulophyl. — Violent, writhing pains in the body and back.
One of the most useful of all medicines in the disease.
Cham. — Pressure from the small of the back towards the
front of the abdomen and downward ; colic, with ten-
derness of the lower part of the body when touched \
discharge of dark-coloured, clotted blood.
Puis. — Heaviness, as if from a stone in the lower abdo-
men ; violent pressure in lower part of abdomen and
small of back, attended with sensation of numbness
extending down the thighs, felt most when sitting j
pressure in lower bowel, with frequent ineffectual calls
to stool ; frequent desire to pass water.
Nux v. — Writhing pains in the body, accompanied by
nausea ; pains in back and loins, as if dislocated ;
feeling as if bruised in bones of pubis ; frequent desire
to pass water.
Verat— Colicky pain, with nausea and headache; cold
sweat on forehead in the paroxysm ; cold feet, hands,
nose, great prostration, fainting.
Cessation of. See CHANGE OF LIFE.
MILK. — Every mother should suckle if possible, both for
her own sake and her child's. It is the natural physio-
logical process, and cannot be set aside without risk.
The breast and the uterine organs are connected by a
most close bond of sympathy, and the woman who
suckles her infant has a much better chance of escap-
192 MILK.
ing uterine disorders than she who does not. There
are certain irregularities in the secretion of milk which
may need medical attention. There may be too little
or there may be too much, and it may escape involun-
tarily.
Milk, Excessive Secretion of. — When there is excessive
secretion of milk the breast distends and becomes
painful. Sometimes it flows away involuntarily. The
consequence is that the patient becomes weak and
thin.
General Treatment. — The patient must avoid stimu-
lants and rich food. Her diet should be farinaceous
chiefly, with not much milk. If there is much weak-
ness she should have complete rest in bed.
Medicines. — (Every three or four hours.)
Calc. c. — The most useful remedy in this condition.
Rhus. — If there is much engorgement and pain.
Phos. — Great weakness, irritability.
Chin. — Weakness following excessive secretion.
Milk, Involuntary Discharge of. — This usually comes
on, when it comes on at all, soon after confinement,
and is very annoying to patients, keeping them con-
tinually wet.
Medicines. — (Every three or four hours.)
Rhus. — When from over-distension.
Calc. c. — When in pale, stout subjects.
Puis. — In blonde, impressionable women, of mild dis-
position.
Chin. — When due to debility from loss of fluids.
Milk, Suppressed Secretion of. — This may occur from
exposure to cold, from sudden violent emotions, or
from over-fatigue. The result is congestion of some
internal organ, fever, or rush of blood to the head.
General Treatment. — The patient must be put into
the most favourable condition at once for regaining
the lost balance. She must be placed in a warmed
MILK-FEVER. 103
bed, with hot bottles to the feet, and must have very
light, warm diet.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour until reaction sets in.)
Puis. — If given at the outset Puis, will generally check
the whole train of symptoms and restore the flow.
Aeon. — Fever, hot, dry skin, restlessness, anxiety.
Bry. — Pain and engorgement of the breast.
Bell. — Flushed face, bright eyes, headache, fever.
Calc. e. — After the acute symptoms have passed.
See also BREAST and WEANING.
MILK-CRUST. See under INFANTS, Milk-Crust.
MILK-FEVER. — Generally the milk does not come until
twelve or twenty-four hours after delivery. Sometimes
it is delayed for a day or two. It may come without
any trouble, or there may be pain and constitutional
disturbance, which goes by the name of " milk-fever."
General Treatment. — This is the treatment for all
feverish states — quiet, fresh a;r without draught, light
diet. An Arnica compress (five drops of the tincture
to a wineglassful of water) may be applied once or
twice a day ; or the breasts may be gently rubbed with
camphorated olive oil ; or bathe them with hot lard,
and afterwards cover them over with medicated cotton
wool.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Am. — distension, soreness, or hardness of the breasts.
Arnica may be applied locally in the form of a com-
press; the strength should be five drops of the tincture
to a wineglassful of water.
Aeon. — Much fever, hot, dry skin; redness of face; breasts
hard and knotted; restlessness, anxiety, discouragement.
Bry. — After Aeon. ; oppression of the chest ; violent pain
in the head, constipation, pain in the breasts.
Cham.— Nervous excitement and restlessness.
Puis. — Great distension of the breasts ; soreness and
N
194 MOUTH.
rheumatic pains extending to both shoulders down to
the arms.
MILK LEG. See WHITE LEG.
MISCARRIAGE. See under PREGNANCY.
MORNING SICKNESS. See under DRUNKENNESS and
PREGNANCY.
MOUTH, INFLAMMATION AND SORENESS OF,
SCURVY. — It is common for the mucous membrane
of the mouth to become sore, inflamed, and dry ; or to
be the seat of shallow ulcers, or for the gums to
become spongy and bleed. This last is one of the
chief symptoms of the disease called scurvy. Severe
cases of ulceration of the mouth are usually due to
blood-poisoning, and will need special treatment. The
cause of inflammation of the mouth and scurvy is
generally defective diet or some irregularities in living,
want of proper cleanliness and attention to the teeth,
or the action of mercury. Scurvy may be brought on by
excessive use of sugar, want of fresh meat and vege-
tables, and even by excessive use of lime-juice when
taken as a preventive.
General Treatment. — The diet is the chief thing in
most affections of the mouth. In scurvy all salt provi-
sions should be avoided, and fresh meat, vegetables,
and milk given in abundance. Where excessive in-
dulgence in sugar is the cause, this must be left off.
Lemons are especially good in scurvy. To prevent
soreness of the mouth it is well to rinse it with cold
water after every meal, and brush the teeth with a soft
brush. A wash made with borax (a teaspoonful of the
powder dissolved in a pint of hot water and allowed to
cool) is very useful in ordinary sore mouth.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Merc, — In all cases of scurvy or sore mouth where the
MUMPS. 195
gums are tender and bleeding. When mercury is itself
the cause, some other medicine must be given, as
Carb. veg.
Carb. veg. — For sore mouth caused by mercury or salt.
Gums bleed and smell offensively.
Arsen. — Great debility, low feverish state, burning in
ulcers.
For THRUSH, see under INFANTS.
MUMPS. — This is an infectious disease, manifesting itself
in swelling of the large salivary gland which lies in the
cheek in front of the ear, and also partly in the neck
below the ear. First one side of the face swells, and
then the other. There is a good deal of fever and
general distension, the tongue is rather white, the
mouth smells unpleasantly, and there is loss of appetite.
The fever is irregular, but lasts in general about a
week. There is no danger, as a rule, but if the disease
leaves the gland and attacks other parts, such as the
heart, the testicles, or the brain, the condition becomes
very serious.
Diagnosis. — The enormous swelling of the face, with
pain, tenderness, salivation, and fever, and the absence
of gumboil, or anything else to cause the swelling,
sufficiently distinguish mumps from any other disease.
In erysipelas there is much swelling, but it is not so
definitely confined to the parts about the jaw and ear,
and there is more redness of the skin.
General Treatment. — The greatest care must be taken
to prevent chills. The usual diet for fever cases must
be given, and measures taken to ventilate the room
properly without causing draughts.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Merc. — Is sufficient of itself in most cases.
Bell. — Swollen or red, and like erysipelas ; brain affected.
iq6 N^VUS— NECK, CRICK IN.
Puis. — It the inflammation leaves the gland and goes to
the testicle.
Card. veg. — Swelling hard, and lasting a long time.
Rhus tox. — Swelling dark red, affecting left side.
N-ffiVUS.— This is a tumour composed of blood-vessels. It
is usually discovered at birth, and is known popularly
as a " mother's mark."
General Treatment. — Naevi are usually treated surgi-
cally, but before resorting to such measures medicines
should have a thorough trial. If they are in incon-
spicuous places and give no trouble, nothing need be
done.
Medicines. — (Night and morning persistently for
months.)
Thuja. — Begin with.
Calc. c. — After Thuja.
Phos. — After these have had a thorough trial.
NAILS. — Brittleness of the nails is often a symptom of a
low state of health. Gout is a common cause of it.
When affections of the nails occur as independent
affections, they are best treated by medicines.
Ars. — When the nails crack.
Graph. — Thick, corrugated nails.
Phos. — Ulcers around the nails.
Secal. — Degeneration of the pulp of the nails.
Toe nail, In-growing. See IN-GROWING TOE-NAIL.
NECK, CRICK IN or STIFF, WRY-NECK.— On making
a sudden turn of the head a sharp pain is often experi-
enced on the opposite side to that to which the head is
turned. It is as if some of the muscles were unprepared,
and were wrenched. Following the acute pain there
may be stiffness, lasting for some days. The same
pain and stiffness may be caused by rheumatism of the
muscles from cold. In rare cases the stiffness does
NERVOUSNESS. 197
not depart, the muscles contract permanently, and
chronic Wry-neck is the result.
General Treatment. — The best general treatment for
stir! neck is the application of dry heat, as a hot dry
flannel, or the painful part may be ironed, a piece of
brown paper or flannel being laid on the neck, and a
hot iron passed over it.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two according to urgency.)
Aeon. — From draught or chill ; pain on moving, extending
down the neck to the shoulder.
Act. r. — Head and neck drawn back ; rheumatic pain
and stiffness in muscles of neck and head, sensitiveness
of the spine.
Bry. — Painful stiff neck, worse on touch or motion.
NERVOUS DEBILITY. See under DEBILITY.
NERVOUSNESS. — By nervousness is meant an abnormal
impressionability. A nervous person is one easily
shocked by trivial events ; jumps and starts when
spoken to, cannot bear the least noise or movement
about her. This condition may be a matter of tempera-
ment, or it may be induced by worry, mental shock, or
indulgence in stimulants, especially tea. When it gets
so far that the patient loses self-control, it becomes
HYSTERIA; when in man it develops morbid self-
consciousness and introspection, it is HYPOCHON-
DRIASIS. See under these two headings.
General Treatment. — Quiet, change of air, freedom
from responsibility, good food — these are the best
general means of restoring proper tone to the nervous
system when overwrought. But these are not always
obtainable. If with the nervousness there is loss of
appetite and wasting, the Weir Mitchell plan of seclu-
sion, massage, and excessive feeding is very efficacious.
Where tea has been the cause, or any other stimulant,
this must be left off entirely.
198 NETTLE-RASH.
Medicines. — (Every three or four hours.)
Cham. — When the patient is peevish and irritable and
there is disorder of the stomach and bowels.
Nux v. — In spare, dark subjects, who suffer from consti-
pation : those addicted to strong spiced food, coffee,
and wines.
Ignat. — When there is depression, apprehension, tendency
to tears.
Iod. — In all cases where there is wasting and loss of appe-
tite.
NETTLE-RASH.— An affection of the skin characterized
by raised white wheals on a red ground, like those
caused by stinging nettles. It is accompanied by great
irritation, stinging, burning, and sometimes with pain.
It is often brought on by irregularity in diet. Shell-
fish will invariably bring it on in some people, and fish
of any kind in others. It may be accompanied by
symptoms of acute indigestion. Sometimes the condi-
tion is constitutional and chronic.
Diagnosis. — Nettle-rash may be acute or chronic. Its
great characteristic is its sudden appearance and equally
sudden disappearance. In chronic cases the spots do
not remain long, but they are continually re-appearing.
General Treatment. — Except where there is digestive
disturbance, in which case a strict dietary must be
observed, and all those articles of food which are
known to cause it must be avoided, there is little to
be done apart from medical treatment.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours according to
urgency.)
Apis. — Useful in most acute cases ; worse by heat.
Pids. — After unwholesome food ; bowels loose in the
morning; particularly suited to patients of mild
temper.
Sulph. — When the irritation comes on at night when warm
in bed ; chronic cases.
NEURALGIA. 199
Ars. — Weakly subjects ; red tongue, thirsc, much burning.
Nat. mur. — In obstinate cases ; in constipated subjects,
with earthy complexion.
NEURALGIA. — By this we mean pain in the face or head
which is neither toothache nor headache. It may be
due to a variety of causes, chiefly to cold, next to
nervous shock, and also to any cause which may result
in lowering of the general health. It is very often due
to some constitutional defect, as gout. Arsenic in
wall-papers or as used in certain trades must not be
forgotten as a possible cause.
General Treatment. — This consists in restoring by all
ordinary means the lost vitality. Rest in bed, if neces-
sary ; in every case rest and good feeding.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour or less often, according to
the severity of the case.)
Acotu — Redness and heat of the face, agitation, restless-
ness, the patient beside himself with pain.
Bell. — Pain coming in spells, suddenly disappearing, and
as suddenly returning, especially on the right side ;
heat and redness of the face j rubbing the face makes
the pain come on ; pain most violent under the eye.
Coloc. — Violent, rending, tearing pains, chiefly on the left
side ; pain affecting the eye ; aggravated by slightest
touch, yet sometimes relieved by firm pressure ; pain
relieved by perfect rest and warmth.
Arseti. — Returning periodically; pains burning, stinging,
as from red-hot needles ; great anguish, restlessness,
prostration ; pains better temporarily from heat ; worse
after midnight, especially if caused by malaria ; low
feverish state ; debility and wasting.
China. — After debilitating diseases, excessive discharges,
in all nervous conditions.
Spigel. — Tearing, shooting, burning pains in all directions •
periodical from morning to sunset, but worse at noon;
200 NIGHTMARE— NtGHT- WATCHING.
come from motion or noise, accompanied by watering
of the eyes ; pain, swelling on left side.
See also HEADACHE, TOOTHACHE.
NICOTISM. See under TOBACCO, ILL EFFECTS OF.
NIGHTMARE. — Most people know what nightmare is
by painful experience. It is a kind of horror, a
feeling as if in some dreadful situation, causing
oppression, as if being buried alive, or pursued by
a wild beast, or drowned, whilst all power of resistance,
or even of crying out, is taken away. There are three
chief causes of nightmare — heavy feeding late at night,
lying in bad positions in bed, and nervous overstrain,
whether in the way of over-work, over-anxiety, or loss
of sleep.
General Treatment. — When the cause can be reached
it must be removed. Take little food late at night,
and retire early.
Medicines. — (To be taken at bedtime.)
Nux v. — From indulgence in spirituous liquors and over-
feeding ; too much confinement and too little exercise.
Aeon. — In children and women, accompanied by nervous
and feverish symptoms, oppressive breathing, anxiety.
Opium. — When the patient lies with the eyes half closed,
snoring, irregular breathing, face distorted, limbs con-
vulsed.
Puis. — After eating fat or rich food.
Sulph. — In chronic cases.
NIGHT-WATCHING, EFFECTS OF.— The amount of sleep
requisite for different persons varies exceedingly, and
every one must be more or less a law to himself as to the
amount of sleep he requires. But for any one to take
habitually less than his proper amount is to lay evil
in store for days to come. It is necessary, however,
on certain occasions, and in certain professions, to sit
up at night and work by day as well. If this is only
NOISES IN THE EARS— NOSE. 201
for a short period no harm may result. Some, how-
ever, can bear it less easily than others, and these may
be helped by medicines.
General Treatment. — It must be remembered that
those who stint themselves in sleep must not stint
themselves in food. An extra meal is necessary when
sleep is curtailed. A short walk in the open air is
also desirable, but it must not be far enough to tire.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours.)
Cocc. — This is the best remedy in general for the conse-
quences of loss of sleep.
Nux v. — When there is headache, and the person has
taken coffee, wine, or spirits to help to keep awake.
Puis. — Head feels empty and light, or heavy j bright
light unbearable, better in open air, worse lying down ;
in persons of mild disposition.
NIPPLES. See BREASTS.
NOISES IN THE EARS AND HEAD.— This is a frequent
symptom of many diseases. It occurs in bloodlessness,
in weak heart, in diseases of the ears, and is often a
purely nervous affection which cannot be traced to any
definite cause. It is often accompanied by giddiness.
General Treatment. — When the cause is known this
must be attended to. The general health in all cases
must be sustained.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
China. — This is the chief medicine, and will relieve a
large number of cases.
Graph. — When the noises are better whilst riding in a
carriage.
NOSE, BLEEDING FROM. See BLEEDING.
NOSE, REDNESS OF.— When the nose becomes red after
meals give Apis thrice daily, and if it is dark red
Carlo, v. in the same way, and see that the patient's
corset is not tight.
202 NUMBNESS.
Nose, Sore. — This frequently follows a cold in the head,
and is often very troublesome to remove.
General Treatment. — Put a little vaseline, and after-
wards camphor-ball, if the vaseline is not sufficient,
into the nostril at night.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Graph. — In ordinary cases.
Kali bich. — Where there is suppuration or pustules.
Nose, Swelling of. — This may be due to repeated colds, or
it may be an indication of a scrofulous constitution.
General Treatment. — The application of vaseline or
camphor-ball at night is useful.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Merc. — Where there is thin discharge, pains in the bones.
Hepar. — After Merc, or at first if Merc, has already been
taken.
NUMBNESS. — The nerves of the skin are often the first to
feel the effects of general lowering causes in altered
sensation. There is numbness and tingling in various
parts, and objects touched do not make their natural
impression. This is sometimes a s>mptom of paralysis
when present, or warning of a coming attack, but
much more often it is a trivial complaint which
passes off with improved health. Sometimes also, of
course, it is a purely local effect of an external cause,
as cold.
General Treatment. — If there is any reason to fear
paralysis, a doctor must be consulted. Attention to
the general health must be given in all cases, and all
debilitating causes, excesses and indulgences, avoided.
Cold sponging of the numbed part, followed by brisk
rubbing, will be beneficial.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Aeon. — Numbness and tingling ; especially if after taking
cold.
NURSING— OFFENSIVE ODOUR. 203
Phos. — Numbness and pricking of the whole body; numb-
ness of arms and legs, with insensibility.
Ignat. — With nervous symptoms.
Secale. — With coldness and cramps.
NURSING. — Whilst nursing, women are apt to suffer in
various ways. They feel weak, lose appetite, perspire
profusely, lose their hair, and are sensitive to chills.
General Treatment. — The child must have regular
times for nursing. Food must be given frequently to
the mother — first thing in the morning as soon as she
wakes, and in the night if sleepless. Food must be
of good quality, oatmeal gruel or well-cooked Emden
groats, with milk, good soups, chicken, mutton, and
milk puddings.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
China. — In almost all cases.
Calc. c. — If the hair falls out.
OBESITY. See CORPULENCY and DIET.
OFFENSIVE BREATH. See BREATH.
OFFENSIVE ODOUR OF BODY.— Every person has a
characteristic odour of body, perfectly distinguishable
to dogs, and also to some gifted human beings. In
those of sanguine temperament the odour is apt to be
more marked than in others. Under certain conditions
of ill-health, as in fevers, the odour becomes altogether
perverted. When the health is restored the condition
passes away as a rule. Sometimes, however, it does
not, and in spite of the most careful cleanliness the
odour remains.
Medicines.— (Three times a day.)
Petrol. — Offensive under the arm-pits.
Merc. — Offensive with perspiration.
Phos. — Odour like garlic.
OPIUM HABIT. See under POISONING, CHRONIC.
204 OZ^NA— PILES.
OVER-HEATING. See SUNSTROKE.
OZENA. — An obstinate discharge from the nose, of extreme
offensiveness, usually depending on ulceration of mucous
membrane, but sometimes on disease of the bones of the
nose. It is often connected with some constitutional
state, such as scrofula. It will in general require the
attention of a medical man.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Kali bich. — When plugs of dried mucus come away.
Ac. nit. — After overdosing with mercury.
PALPITATION. See HEART.
PERSPIRATION. — Perspiration may become so excessive
as to constitute disease, or it may be accompanied by
an offensive odour. Excessive perspiration is a symp-
tom of many debilitating diseases, and then it does not
constitute a disease in itself. Sometimes it is purely
nervous in character.
General Treatment. — All debilitating causes must be
avoided ; a cold morning sponge-down, followed by
brisk rubbing, when the patient is not too weak, to
obtain a reaction.
Medicines.— (Two or three times a day.)
Chin. — When due to debility after exhausting diseases.
Phos. — Exhausting perspiration all over ; perspiration
after waking ; perspiration smelling like garlic.
Calc. c. — Perspiration of the head ; cold, clammy feet.
Merc. — Sour perspiration, worse at night ; rheumatic
subjects.
Sul. — Offensive perspiration of various parts, especially
in scrofulous subject, and after the disappearance of
eruptions.
PILES or HEMORRHOIDS.— The veins at the extremity
of the lower bowel are very apt to become varicose. The
tissues are loose, and the veins have very little support,
and, consequently, when they lose their vitality from
PILES. 205
any cause, they become distended. These distended
or varicose veins, with their mucous covering, consti-
tute what is known as " Piles." Piles are sometimes
" external," that is, arising from the skin outside the
margin of the anus ; sometimes "internal," arising from
the mucous membrane of the lower bowel inside the
anus. Or they may be between the two, and spring
from the margin itself.
Anything that interferes with the circulation in the
abdomen may give rise to piles. The commonest
causes are constipation and congestion of the liver.
The blood that circulates in the abdomen has to pass
through the liver on its way to the heart. Anything
that interferes with the action of the liver is apt to im-
pede the circulation, and throw pressure upon the veins,
and cause piles. In some cases piles arise from general
weakness of the whole system of veins in patients who
have varicose veins elsewhere as weil. They are apt to
be present during pregnancy.
Piles do not remain of the same size always, but
increase and bleed at times, then pass away, so that
they are hardly, if at all, perceptible. When they are
bad, patients say they have an "attack of piles; " after
the bleeding is over, the patient usually feels greatly
relieved.
Besides the inconvenience of the swelling, piles often
give pain, varying in degree from very little to agoniz-
ing. There is also much irritation, burning, pricking
sensation. In general the pains are aggravated during
stool ; if they are internal they come down then, and
have to be replaced.
Some piles do not bleed at all.
General Treatment. — In severe cases absolute rest in
bed will be necessary, and in all cases the patient should
walk as little as he can help, and should lie down as
much as possible. Much sitting is bad ; a hard chair,
206 PLEURISY.
or cane-bottomed chair, is preferable to a soft-cushioned
one. The diet should be light and unstimulating. No
fat or rich food likely to upset the liver should be taken,
and nothing that has a constipating tendency ; no alco-
holic drinks of any kind, and no pepper. The bowels
should be attended to regularly ; after every stool the
parts should be washed with cold water, and any pro-
trusion should be returned. If there is bleeding a lotion
of Hamamelis 0 (ten drops to a wineglassful) should be
used instead of plain water for washing. An ointment
of Hamamelis </> (thirty drops to the ounce of prepared
lard) should be applied to the anus on a piece of soft
linen at night. If there is much irritation an ointment
of Verbascum <j> (thirty drops to the ounce of lard) must
be used instead.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Ham. — Bleeding piles, with open or loose bowels.
Arux v.— When there is constipation, and during preg-
nancy ; in sedentary persons, irritable, passionate, who
feel worst in the morning. Burning, pricking in the
tumours, discharge of light-coloured blood after each
stool, constant disposition to go to stool.
Sulph. — Does well after Nux. Bleeding or blind piles ;
constant, ineffectual desire for stool, or thin motions
mixed with blood ; soreness or burning at the anus j
stiffness and pains in the back ; smarting on passing
water.
Aiscul. hip. — Blind piles, with constipation, stools apt to
be lumpy, great pain in the back.
Puis. — Much blood and mucus discharged with stool
pains in the back ; pale countenance ; disposition to
faint.
PLEURISY. — The outer covering of the lungs and the
lining of the chest is composed of a serous membrane
PLEURISY. 207
called the pleura. This membrane has a smooth sur-
face, and secretes a fluid which in health just suffices
to keep it moist and bright, so that the lungs may ex-
pand and contract and move up and down with the
ascent and descent of the diaphragm or midriff — the
muscle which separates the chest from the abdominal
cavity. When it is inflamed, as is often the case after
a severe chill, the membrane becomes at first dry, when
every movement of the lungs gives sharp pain. Then
matter is formed on the surface, creating a roughness,
which causes a creaking noise to be heard when the
ear is put to the chest. At this period there may be a
large secretion of the fluid, causing compression of the
lung, bulging of the chest wall, and, in some cases,
threatening life.
Pleurisy usually begins with severe chills, and there
is a good deal of fever and some cough, the cough
and every motion causing great stitching pains in the
side.
Diagnosis.-— See under BRONCHITIS, and compare
below FALSE PLEURISY.
General Treatment. — Rest in bed and fever diet are
the chief measures to adopt before the services of a
doctor can be obtained.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour or every hour.)
Aeon. — When due to a chill. Pain, heat, thirst, cough.
This is the first medicine to give, and will often be the
only one required.
Bry. — Sharp pains in chest, worse by every breath or
every movement ; dry cough ; yellowish tongue ; bitter
taste ; constipation.
Pleurisy, False (Pleurodynia).— This is a disease which
comes on in almost precisely the same way as pleurisy
(except that the chill is not so marked), but without
any inflammation of the pleura. The seat of the
208 POISONING.
affection is the muscles of the chest wall, which will be
found to be tender to external pressure. The pains
also of false pleurisy shift their place.
General Treatment. — Rest and light diet must be
enjoined. Hot, dry flannels may be laid on the part,
and the patient must be kept warm and protected from
draughts.
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
Aeon. — When there is fever and restlessness, and the
attack has resulted from chill.
Am. — When there is not much fever, and when the cause
has been over-exertion.
Puis. — When the pains shift about much ; if there is dis-
ordered digestion.
Sulph. — Sharp pains in left side ; if the case drags.
POISONING, ACUTE.— In a case of poisoning the most
valuable thing in an attendant is presence of mind.
Let the coolest direct the rest. Send one for a medical
man ; let another procure whites of eggs and beat them
into a froth ; another make gruel. Have also soap-
suds made of white Castile soap, magnesia, sugar, salt,
ground mustard, vinegar, sweet oil.
Find out, if possible, what the poison is, and, if you
cannot, proceed to work without knowing.
Secure all that is left of the food of which the patient
has recently partaken, and preserve everything he
vomits.
The first indication is to make the patient vomit the
poison he has taken, and, if the poison is known, to
neutralize its effect.
If you do not know what the poison is, endeavour to
make him vomit. Give large quantities of lukewarm
water. If this does not succeed, take a long feather,
peacock's if possible, dip it in oil, and pass it to the
back of the patient's mouth, turning it round and round.
POISONING. 209
If this fails to make him vomit, and he cannot be
made to swallow freely, put a mixture of salt and
mustard on his tongue.
When he has vomited all that he can, antidotes must
be given.
If the poison is not known, and there is much pain,
give water and white of egg largely. If there is insen-
sibility, give strong, black coffee frequently. As soon
as the poison is ascertained, proceed at once to give
antidotes. If it is an acid, give magnesia in water or
soap-suds ; if a metal, white of eggs or soap-suds ; if
an alkali, vinegar-and-water and lemon-juice, or the
juice of sour fruit. If it is a metallic poison (as Arsenic,
or copper salt, or corrosive sublimate), give (1) white
of eggs and water, (2) sugar and water, (3) soap-suds,
or (4) milk. The first is generally the best, but if not
immediately at hand give one of the others named.
After a good quantity has been taken, give mustard-
and-water to make him vomit again, and then more of
the antidote. Finally, give castor oil, to purge out of
the intestines any that may remain there.
For Lead, give pure Epsom salts or Glauber's salts ;
then white of egg, or soap-suds, or milk.
For Nitrate of Silver {Lunar Caustic), give common
salt dissolved in lukewarm water ; then milk, gruel, or
mucilaginous drinks, as linseed tea.
For Phosphorus, excite vomiting speedily, and then
give mucilaginous drinks or white of egg ; then coffee
without milk. Later on give magnesia in solution. Fats
and oils of all kinds, including milk, must be avoided,
as they dissolve phosphorus.
For Prussic Acid or Cyanide of Potash (used by
photographers), excite vomiting at once. Pour cold
water over the back of the neck ; then let the patient
smell of smelling-salts held at a distance, and give a
little sal-volatile in water. Have black coffee made,
o
210 POISONING.
and let him drink freely of it, and give it in injec-
tion.
For Vitriol {Sulphuric Acid), give sugar and warm
water, or white of egg dissolved in cold water, until
the patient has vomited freely; afterwards, mucilaginous
drinks.
For Carbolic Acid, give soap-suds immediately and
persistently, and make the patient vomit.
For narcotic drugs, such as Aconite, Poisonous Mush-
room (Agaricus), Belladonna, Opium, and Strychnine or
Nux Vomica, first make the patient vomit as speedily
as possible, giving large drinks of warm water to assist
the vomiting and dilute the poison.
For Aconite, give vinegar, and, if there is much col-
lapse, brandy. For Agaricus, give Epsom salts or
Glauber's salts, and let the patient smell of smelling
salts, but not placed too near. For Belladonna and
Opium, and drugs causing stupor, give coffee in large
quantities, and keep the patient awake by constantly
walking him about between two attendants, slapping
the face with towels dipped in cold water, and talking
to him. For Camphor, give coffee. For Nux vomica,
Strychnine, and other vegetable poisons, let the patient
smell camphor, or drink coffee. If they cause stupefac-
faction, give vinegar-and-water ; if they cause much
pain, soap-suds, and milk.
For Poisonous meat, such as sausages, which cause
much pain inwardly, stupefaction and paralysis coming
on within a few hours after the meal, cause vomiting
as speedily as possible, and then give lemon-juice and
water or vinegar-and-water. Alternate these drinks
with a drop of the oil of turpentine on a lump of
sugar.
POISONING, CHRONIC— The treatment of the after-
effects of poisoning, when the patient has recovered
POISONING. 211
from the acute stage, and the treatment of cases of
poisoning induced by unwholesome occupations and
insanitary homes, will depend on the aspect each case
assumes. The first indication, of course, is to get
away from the poison. If it is a trade like painting,
great care must be taken in washing the hands, so
that none of the poison may come in contact with the
food. For box-makers, who suffer from working with
arsenical papers, the only thing is to give it up ; as the
poison is volatile, no amount of washing will protect
them from it. Drinking copiously of milk in a mea-
sure antidotes its effects. Arsenical wall-papers must
be carefully cleaned off and replaced with others con-
taining no arsenic. They must not be covered, as arsenic
can find its way through the upper paper ; and the
same brushes that have been used for damping an
arsenical paper for removal must not be used for sizing
the wall and pasting the new paper on, as they will
be saturated with arsenic and put much of it back on the
wall again ; also care must be taken to ascertain that the
size is free from arsenic, which is not the case in inferior
kinds, as the acids used in making them contain arsenic
as an impurity. No special colour can be declared free
from arsenic, though bright greens are more likely to
contain it. The only safe plan is to have all papers
tested before they are hung. For this purpose a
spirit-lamp, a test-tube, a piece of copper foil or wire,
and strong hydrochloric acid are all that will be
required. Put into the test-tube about half a tea-
spoonful of water, a piece of the clean copper foil, and
a few drops of the strong hydrochloric acid. Boil
over the spirit-lamp. The copper will retain a bright
surface. (If it does not the acid is impure, and must be
changed.) Into the test-tube place a bit of the suspected
paper, and again boil. If the copper becomes blackened
arsenic is presnt.
2i2 PREGNANCY.
For Chronic Arsenical Poisoning, the foiiowing Medicines
will be found efficient (every few hours) : —
Bryonia. — Indigestion, with pains in the chest, and feeling
as of a load after food.
Nat. m — Chilliness, earthy complexion, loss of flesh, con-
stipation.
China. — Irritable, uneasy, feverish at night.
Verat. a. — Frequent nausea, vomiting, coldness, great
weakness.
Hepar. — For other effects.
For Chronic Lead Poisoning, painters' colic, lead paralysis
(or drop wrist), the best medicine is Opium, which
should be given three or four times a day per-
sistently.
For the Opium Habit (which is generally due to injudi-
cious medical treatment and advice, and the use of the
hypodermic injection entrusted to patients or nurses),
the first thing to do is to cut off the drug entirely. He
may be allowed to drink black coffee frequently.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two.)
Aeon. — Fever, dry skin, thirst, anxiety, restlessness.
Chi. — Craving for the drug, restlessness, irritability, fever
coming on every night.
See also TOBACCO, ILL EFFECTS OF.
PREGNANCY.— This is the state of a woman from the
time of conception to the time of delivery. The dura-
ration of the period is 280 days. If it terminates
before this period, and yet late enough for the child
to be born, the birth is spoken of as premature. If the
birth occurs earlier than this it is a called a miscarriage,
and if within the first three months it is generally spoken
of as an abortion. Before birth the child is called the
embryo, or foetus.
Calculation of the Date of Delivery. — The duration of
pregnancy is, as has just been stated, 280 days, or forty
PRF.dXAXCY. 21
.1
weeks. The best way of calculating is to take the last
day of the last menstrual period, and calculate from that
nine calendar months. To this add one week.
Quickening is the name given to the first occasion on
which the mother becomes conscious of the inde-
pendent movements of the child. This is felt about
the fifteenth week after conception. It is often accom-
panied by fainting on the part of the mother, especially
if it is the first pregnancy.
The Signs of pregnancy are chiefly these : — Stopping of
the periods, increase in size of the body, morning
nausea, vomiting, increase in size of the breasts, and
darker appearance of the areolae round the nipples. But
it should be borne in mind that all these symptoms may
occur in connection with diseases of the womb, without
there being any child. The only absolute sign is the
child's heart-beat, which a practised ear can hear on
listening over the woman's abdomen in the later months
of pregnancy.
General Management of Pregnancy.— Some women ex-
perience better health during the period of pregnancy
than at any other time, but it is more general for
women to suffer various inconveniences, if not actual
disease, during some part or other of the term. Every
woman should regard the care of her health as of the
utmost importance, as any indiscretion will be visited
not on herself alone, but on her child. There is no
need for her to be idle and consider herself an invalid,
but excesses of all kinds she must avoid — fatiguing
and violent exercise, heavy lifting, indulgence in the
pleasures of the table.
Diet. — This should be of a plain, wholesome, and
nourishing kind, all alcoholic stimulants being avoided;
also strong tea, coffee, spices, high seasoning, rich food,
sweets, and pastry. It should be taken at regular times.
214 PREGNANCY.
Oatmeal porridge, whole-meal bread, and other bone-
producing foods should be taken with milk.
Sleep. — It is highly important that the woman should
have plenty of sleep. She requires more than when in
an ordinary state. She should retire early ; the bedroom
should be well-ventilated, should not have very much
furniture, and the bed should have no hangings. Then
the woman must be allowed to sleep as long as she feels
the necessity, and rise when she wakes naturally.
Bath. — She may do as she usually does about bathing ;
the morning cold bath and sponge down, if she is
hardy and used to it, will do good, but she must
beware of straining herself on getting into or out of the
bath.
Dress. — This is a matter of the greatest importance.
Stays must be discarded. This is necessary for many
reasons. The mother has to do a double amount of
breathing — for herself and her child — and it is therefore
important that there must be nothing to hamper the
movements of the chest-wall and the diaphragm to
diminish the breathing space. Providence made the
ribs movable, from the first to the last, and also the
abdominal walls movable and muscular. Stays have
the effect of fixing the lower ribs, limiting the breathing
space, and crowding the abdominal organs into half
their natural space. Stays are accountable for weak
backs (which ought to be strong enough to hold them-
selves up) and a multitude of .other ailments, among
them all kinds of displacements, constipation, and
piles.
I am aware the great difficulty is how to fit on the
clothes if stays are discarded. They must be hung
from the shoulders and from the hips. The shoulders
may bear the upper half of the garment, and the hips —
not the soft part above the hip-bones, but the hip-
bones themselves — by a broad belt made to fit to the
PREGNANCY. 215
bones, or the skirts themselves may be made to fit them.
From the prominences of the hip-bones down to the hip-
joints, the bones spread outwards, so as to bear any
amount of weight. On no part of the body should the
clothes press tight. Garters must give place to sus-
penders. The clothes must be suited to the season,
and warm enough to guard against chills. A great
weight of clothes is objectionable.
Disorders of. — It is not often that a woman passes all
through the period of pregnancy without some of the
ailments incident to the state. Morning sickness is
the best known. Vertigo, headache, fainting, tooth-
ache, and a number of others may become serious
enough to require special treatment. They will be
discussed under this heading, but reference may also
be made to the several diseases under their own special
headings.
Bladder Irritation.— This is a frequent accompaniment
of pregnancy. The patient experiences a constant
desire to pass water, more troublesome during the day
than at night. It is due to pressure of the uterus
on the neck of the bladder. As soon as the womb
gets to a certain size it rises out of the pelvis (the
lowest part of the abdominal cavity, closed in by
walls of bone, which make a kind of basin), and then
the irritation passes away of itself if it has come on
in the earlier months. When it comes on during the
later months it is due to pressure on the bladder
itself.
General Treatment. — The patient must lie down as
much as possible on her back.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Bell. — This will usually allay the irritability.
Puis.— After Bell.
Breasts Painful. — Pain in the breasts is very common
2i6 PREGNANCY.
during pregnancy. If it becomes severe give Bryonia
every few hours.
Cramps-— The pressure of the uterus on the great nerves
of the lower limbs often gives rise to cramps.
General Treatment. — Keep the lower limbs warm,
and let the patient lie on the back a great part of the
day when not exercising.
Medicines.—
Verat. a. — If the limbs are very cold.
Nux v. — In general ; when there is constipation.
Digestive Disorders. — Toothache. — Some women always
"lose a tooth" with each pregnancy. In general, the
cause of that is improper dieting. The child must have
bone salts for its teeth, and if the mother does not
supply it out of hers, her own bones and teeth must go
short of their proper amount. Whole wheat-meal and
bread made of it, groats and coarse oatmeal, are excel-
lent foods, and will save many a tooth if women will
only persuade themselves to eat them in preference to
sweets and pastry.
Medicines. — (Every hour whilst it lasts.)
Krea. — If the tooth is decayed.
Sep. — If there is no decay.
Salivation. — Incessant flow of saliva is a very common
accompaniment of pregnancy, and a very annoying one.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Merc. sol. — This will suffice in most cases.
Sul. — After Merc, if insufficient.
Heartburn. — Many women have heartburn during the
whole time they are pregnant.
General Treatment. — They must avoid all sweet food
and drinks, and anything likely to create acid.
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Calc. c. — When there is much anxiety.
PREGNANCY. 217
Puis. — In fair, quick-tempered women.
Capsic. — When there is not much acidity.
Morning Sickness. — This is the most characteristic and
most troublesome of all the disorders incident to preg-
nancy. It generally occurs in the morning, but by no
means always. There may be all degrees of it, from
simple nausea, which never goes on to vomiting, to
vomiting after every morsel of food taken. Sickness
lasts, as a rule, ten weeks — from the fifth or sixth week
to the sixteenth. The sickness usually comes on imme-
diately on rising from bed, and continues for an hour
or two. It may recur less severely in the evening, or
it may last all day.
General Treatment. — Food must be taken frequently
in small quantities ; medicines must be given a quarter
of an hour before food. The patient should endeavour
to take some nourishment — milk, beef-tea, chicken
tea, or solid food if she prefers it — immediately after
vomiting. Koumiss (or fermented milk) will sometimes
be retained when nothing else will.
Medicines. — (A quarter of an hour before each meal,
until amelioration has taken place ; then two or three
times a day.)
Ipecac. — Nausea and vomiting, with great uneasiness in
the stomach ; vomiting of drink and undigested food ;
bilious vomiting and tendency to ulceration of the
bowels.
Nux v. — Nausea and vomiting, chiefly in the morning,
while eating, or immediately after eating, or imme-
diately after eating or drinking ; acid and bitter eructa-
tions and regurgitations; violent hiccough, waterbrash,
pain and sensation of weight in the pit of the stomach ;
constipation and irritable temper.
Puis. — Nausea after eating ; vomiting of food ; heartburn,
eructations, acid, bitter, or with taste of food ; craving
218 PREGNANCY.
for acids j whitish-coated tongue ; persons of mild dis-
position.
Petrol. — When the nausea is constant ; vomiting of food.
Constipation. — This is a common accompaniment of
pregnancy, and often arises from a mechanical cause,
pressure of the uterus on the lower bowel.
General Treatment. — Active open-air exercise is the
best remedy in general. The patient should drink
freely of cold water, and eat fruit, ripe or cooked.
Medicines.— See under CONSTIPATION, especially,
Nux v., Bry., Lye., Op., and Sulph.
Diarrhoza is an occasional occurrence, but is much less
frequent than constipation.
General Treatment. — Whilst it continues, hot drinks,
beef-tea, fruit, or vegetables must be avoided. Milk
with or without lime-water, white of egg beat up, arrow-
root and farinaceous diet, must be adhered to.
For Medicines, see indications under DIARRHOEA.
False Pains. — When the uterus begins to have contrac-
tions before the proper time comes, these are called
" False pains," to distinguish them from the real labour
pains, which do the work of expelling the child. It is
only when they come several weeks before the term
that they are morbid. For a week or two before the
birth there may be contractions (or " pains," as they
are called) which are really preparatory to the final
effort. It is only when they are severe, and interfere
with rest, that they require treatment.
Medicines. — (Every few hours.)
SecaL — This will in general control the severity of the
pains.
Puis. — In fair, gentle-dispositioned women.
Act. rac. — When they are accompanied with severe head-
ache.
PREGNANCY. 219
Headache and Vertigo.— About the fourth or fifth week
of pregnancy it is common for women to have giddi-
ness, fulness, or pain in the head. With the headache
there is weight at the top and back of the head, and
down the neck, palpitation of the heart, nervousness,
trembling. The symptoms are usually worse in the
morning.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours until relieved.)
Aeon. — Plethoric women of florid complexion ; giddiness,
as if intoxicated, on rising from a seat ; faintness and
blindness on rising from a recumbent position ; deter-
mination of blood to the head.
Bell. — Congestion to the head, vertigo, staggering, trem-
bling ; intolerance of noise; heaviness and pressure, pain
on the top of the head, or in the forehead over the
eyes ; sense of expansion of the neck, palpitation,
throbbing of the arteries of the neck ; red face ; sparks
before eyes ; objects appear double.
Nux v. — Sedentary women of hasty temper, addicted to
wine or coffee. Symptom worse in the morning, better
in the open air. Giddiness with feeling of confusion in
the head ; sight cloudy ; buzzing in the ears ; pains
tearing, drawing, or jerking, or periodical pains ; con-
stipation ; insipid, acid, bitter or putrid taste.
Puis.— Women of mild disposition. Giddiness worse
after stooping, with momentary blindness and staggering,
shuddering and shooting pains in the head ; one-sided
headaches ; headaches every other day. Sometimes
there is numbness, worse in the afternoon and evenings.
Sulph. — Congestion of blood to the head ; beating pains
and heat in the head. Vertigo and staggering, espe-
cially when seated or after meals, with nausea. Faint-
ing, weakness, and bleeding from the nose j confusion
of the head, worse morning and evening. One-sided
headache, headache at the top of the head, back of the
22o PREGNANCY.
head, forehead, over the eyes, with dim sight. Sinking
sensation, with flushes of heat to the head ; cold feet.
Pains worse by movement, walking in the open air,
and by meditation.
Itching or Pruritus. — This is a not uncommon affection,
and very distressing ; it affects the mucous membrane of
the parts. At times it occurs without an eruption, at
times there is an eruption like thrush in infants; some
times there is oozing of a thin watery secretion.
General Treatment. — Wash the parts frequently with
warm water. To the water may be added a little borax
(a teaspoonful to the pint) or a little lemon-juice.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Puis. — In women of the Pulsatilla type, fair, of mild
disposition, and easily moved to tears.
Lye. — When there is constipation, flatulence, and sandy
urine.
Merc. — When there is a thrush-like eruption.
Sulph. — In obstinate cases, patient subject to eruptions.
Mental Disturbance. — It is not uncommon for women
to become altered in temper and disposition during
the pregnant state. They are frequently affected with
low spirits and despondency, and are certain they will
never get over their labour. When the time comes
they forget all about it, and it does not come back
after delivery.
General Treatment. — The woman ought to have
cheerful surroundings, and plenty of fresh air and
exercise.
Medicines. — (Every few hours.)
Aeon. — If a fright has been the occasion of it, and if fear
of death is the most prominent symptom.
Bell. — Great agitation and restlessness at night ; fear of
ghosts ; fear and disposition to run away and hide ;
PREGNANCY. 221
involuntary laughter ; disposition to laugh or sing or
fall into a passion and rave ; frightful visions.
Puis. — Depression, with sadness and weeping, and un-
easiness in the pit of the stomach j sleeplessness ; she
imagines herself to be oppressed with a multitude of
cares ; dislike to conversation j headache and heart-
burn.
Sulph. — Low spirits, great anxiety on the subject of
religion ; despair of eternal salvation ; forgetfulness of
proper names, and of words when about to speak them ;
disposition to get angry.
Miscarriage.— A pregnancy may terminate at any period
short of the proper term, and then it is called a " mis-
carriage "or " abortion," though the latter term is
usually employed only in those cases which occur
within the first three months. " Miscarriage" is used
when it occurs at any part of the term within the
period when the child may possibly be born alive and
live — that is, within seven months. In medical language
it is sometimes, but not always, restricted to the period
between the third and the seventh months. A delivery
after the middle of the seventh month, and before the
proper time, is called a " premature birth." These
terms are purely arbitrary, and have no inherent signi-
ficance, and I shall speak of all premature terminations
of pregnancy under the term " miscarriage."
The period at which miscarriage more commonly
occurs is from the eighth to the twelfth week. It is
usually accompanied with a great deal of pain and
loss, but is not in itself dangerous unless it recurs
often. Late miscarriages are more serious. The
most common of all causes of miscarriage are sudden
straining, falls, blows, or over-exertion of some kind.
Next after the mechanical cause are sudden emotions
— frights and starts. Then come over-indulgence in
222 PREGNANCY.
improper articles of diet, stimulating food and drink,
and the abuse of purgative drugs. Criminal interfer-
ence with pregnancy must not be forgotten.
Symptoms. — A miscarriage is generally preceded by
bearing-down pains, severe pains in the body and
back, discharge of mucus and blood; with this dis-
charge the foetus and its membranes pass away.
Women who have miscarried once are very liable to
do so again, every fresh miscarriage tending to increase
the liability.
General Treatment. — All attempts to interfere with
the progress of pregnancy are criminal, and if they
escape the punishment of the law they are not likely
to escape that of Nature. Sooner or later they will be
visited on the woman who doses herself with strong
drugs, or allows other means to be used, in lifelong
pain, discomfort, and loss of health.
In all cases of threatened miscarriage the patient
should immediately lie down, and remain lying down
until the danger is past. If the miscarriage has taken
place she must still keep lying down to allow the
womb to return to its natural size, and to prevent
further bleeding from its surface. The neglect of this
is the cause of endless trouble in the way of displace-
ments and all their attendant miseries. If there is
much bleeding, all warm drinks must be stopped until
it has ceased. The general diet will be as advised
under CHILD-BIRTH.
Medicines. — (When used as prophylactic, two or
three times a day ; when used whilst the miscarriage is
actually threatening, every half-hour.) When the mis-
carriage is inevitable suitable medicines will assuage
the pains and favour the natural process. In the next
pregnancy the patient must be extremely careful at the
corresponding period, lying down continually, if neces-
PREGNANCY. 223
sary, and mast take the medicine most suited to her
general state.
Aeon. — When symptoms arise from a blow, fall, strain,
or mechanical injury of any kind.
Secal. — Valuable after the miscarriage, when there is
much dark blood and few pains ; useful in debilitated
persons.
Ipec. — Spasms, faintness, nausea, vomiting; profuse dis-
charge of bright-red blood, downward pressure, cutting
pains round the navel.
Cham. — Precedent labour-like pains, each followed by a
discharge of dark, clotted blood or blood and mucus ;
violent pains in the bowels, extending round the sides,
with feeling as if about to have a motion or pass water ;
coldness, shivering, and thirst.
Croc. — Dark, clotted blood, increased by the least
exertion ; feeling of fluttering, as if something moving
about the navel.
Sabina. — In the early months, much pain, discharge of
bright-red blood.
Chin. — In weak, exhausted persons ; blood discharged
at intervals, with bearing-down pain ; spasmodic pains
in womb ; giddiness, drowsiness, fainting. Very useful
for weakness after the discharge has ceased.
aricose Veins. — During pregnancy the veins of the lower
limbs often become varicose in consequence of the
pressure of the enlarged womb impeding the return
of the blood from the limb to the heart. After delivery
they generally regain their natural condition.
General Treatment. — When the condition is serious the
patient must be kept lying down. If she is compelled
to go about the limbs must be bathed in cold water or
in spirit-and-water, and bandaged. It may be necessary
to wear an elastic stocking.
Medicines.— See under VARICOSE VEINS.
224 PROLAPSE OF THE BOWEL.
PRICKLY HEAT. See HEAT-SPOTS.
PROLAPSE OF THE BOWEL.— This troublesome affec-
tion is more common in children than in adults. It is
due to weakness of the tissues at the lower end of the
bowel, and is generally induced by constipation, and
the consequent straining at stool. In adults it is often
an accompaniment of piles. With some patients it
occurs every time the bowels are moved, with others
even when sitting or walking ; when lying down it
returns to its natural place, or it can be returned by
the hand.
General Treatment. — Use no paper, but wash the
part with cold water after each motion with a soft linen
rag, or if cold water gives pain, warm water may be
used. Gentle pressure will usually be enough to restore
it to its place. If there is any difficulty wrap a small
sponge in a piece of linen, wet it, and press the pro-
truding part steadily, but not violently. Do not hurry.
If it does not yield to this, put vaseline on the fingers,
grasp the protrusion, and return it in that way. If
it becomes red, swollen and painful, do not attempt to
return it, but put wet cloths upon it, and keep lying
down.
Medicines. — (Every few hours ; when acute symptoms
come on — swelling, redness, pain — every hour.)
Podqph. — This is specially indicated for children ; but
also in adults, if there are loose, light stools in the
morning ; prolapse after every stool, or on sudden
motion or sneezing.
Ignat. — Nervous persons ; with constipation ; in children
who cry much; bluish-red swelling, bleeding, much
pain at stool.
Am. — Protrudes when walking ; is bluish-red.
Calc. c. — Chronic cases in children.
Sep. — Chronic cases in adults ; worse when walking.
PROLAPSE OF WOMB— PSORIASIS. 225
PROLAPSE OF WOMB.— This is a condition in which the
womb falls from its natural position on account of the
relaxed state of its ligaments, a consequence of severe
labour, and enlarged or inflamed state of the womb.
The organ comes down untii it appears at the orifice
of the vagina, and may even protrude.
General Treatment. — In recent cases rest in the recum-
bent position will allow the parts to recover themselves,
and the womb, if enlarged, to return to its natural size,
and in this way the condition may be remedied. In
older cases support must be used, and some form of
pessary applied.
Medicines — (Three times a day.)
Sepia.— Fee'.ing of weight in the womb : pressure, bearing
down, sinking feeling at epigastrium.
Lachrsis. — Bearing down sensation, pain in left ovarian
region ; cannot bear to have corsets tight.
Bell. — Bearing down sensation ; profuse, offensive menses.
PSORIASIS. — This is a dry eruption, consisting of red-
ness of the skin, usually in spots, and covered with
white scales. It is called popularly "tetter."
General Treatment. — Apply nothing locally. Plain,
wholesome diet and healthy manner of living are the
best general measures to adopt.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.) Medicines
should be given for a long time, but not continuously.
They may be given for a fortnight, and then left off for
a fortnight. Also the dilutions may be changed from
time to time: as the reaction to one dilution diminishes
another may be given.
Petrol. — In most cases.
Arsen. — In debilkated subjects, thin, wasted, anxious.
Graph. — Especially when it occurs on the palms of the
hands and at the back of the ears.
p
226 QUININE, BAD EFFECTS OF— QUINSY.
QUININE, BAD EFFECTS OF.— When quinine has been
injudiciously used it produces a depressed bodily con-
dition peculiar to itself, and as difficult to get rid of as
mercurial poisons. The chief symptoms are giddiness,
deafness, singing in the ears, neuralgia, rheumatism,
great sensitiveness of every part of the body.
Medical Treatment. — Quinine and its effects are only
got rid of by a careful perseverance in homoeopathic
medicines. The chief medicine is Ipec, which may be
given two or three times a day; after Ipec, Puis, espe-
cially for earache ; after Puis., Calcarea ; Arnica for
rheumatic pains and perspiration ; Arsen. for dropsy
and short breath ; Verat. for cold perspiration, consti-
pation, or diarrhoea.
QUINSY. — Inflammation of the tonsils — one or both —
with tendency to suppuration, is called "quinsy." It is
attended with great pain and choking sensation, and
when the throat is examined the swelling is seen almost
to close the aperture of the throat and to be very red.
There is much fever, and the patient feels generally
very ill.
Diagnosis. — Quinsy is recognized by swelling of one or
other tonsil. If both are affected, one is generally more
swelled than the other. It is distinguished from diph-
theria by the absence of the grey membrane which
characterizes the latter disease, and from acute herpetic
sore throat (called diphtheritic sore throat, though it has
no connection with real diphtheria) by the absence of
the greyish spots. With all throat affections there is a
good deal of prostration and constitutional disturbance.
Quinsy is often rheumatic in its nature, and is not
unfrequently the precursor of a rheumatic attack.
General Treatment.— Put on a compress as soon as
the first symptoms appear — two or three thicknesses of
linen placed round the neck, and covered with a roll
REMITTENT FEVER— RHEUMATISM. 227
of flannel or worsted stocking. At a later stage warm
poultices will be of service. Milk and barley-water
should constitute the diet. Milk in which figs have
been boiled is better than plain milk, and the steam
of it may be inhaled with advantage if the throat feels
dry.
Medicines. — (Every hour until there is relief; then less
often.)
Aeon. — At the beginning ; throat red, swallowing and
speaking difficult; burning, pricking, contracting sen-
sation ; fever, anxiety, impatience, uneasiness.
Baryt. c. — When the tonsils are unmistakably affected.
It may be given at the beginning if there are no special
symptoms calling for Aco?i.
Hepar. — If Baryt. is not sufficient, and it is evident that
matter is forming.
Apis. — Patient always chilly, and afraid of open air, yet
cannot bear close room ; hot, but not thirsty ; much
swelling of tonsils and mucous membrane, as if stung
by a bee ; stinging pains.
Sulph. — Quinsy constantly recurring.
RED GUM. See under INFANTS, Gum.
REMITTENT FEVER, or BILIOUS FEVER.— This is a
fever due to poisoning by a miasm, like ague or inter-
mittent. It differs from the latter in the fact that there
is no period entirely free from fever • the fever subsides
or remits, but does not disappear entirely, as it does in
the intermission between the attacks of ague.
The Treatment is the same as recommended for AGUE,
but it should always, when possible, be directed by a
physician.
RHEUMATISM, ACUTE, or RHEUMATIC FEVER.— This
is a disease of the blood due to excessive acidity, pro-
ducing pains and swelling of joints, muscles, and inter-
nal organs and membranes, accompanied with heavy,
228 RHEUMATISM.
sour perspiration and fever. It is brought on by chills,
and also by any cause which lowers the vitality. Very
often it shows itself first in the throat, causing inflam-
matory sore throat, or quinsy.
Symptoms and Diagnosis. — It is hardly possible to mis-
take an attack of rheumatism for anything else. The
pains in the joints and muscles, and the swelling, ex-
cessive, sour perspiration which gives no relief, are
found in no other disease. In pyaemia, or blood-
poisoning, there is frequently affection of the joints,
which become the seat of abscesses, but there is always
the history to guide in these cases, and the fever is of
the hectic type. Rheumatism may accompany scarlet
fever. Like scarlet fever and the other eruptive fevers,
it has a great tendency to attack the heart, causing
inflammation of its lining membrane {endocarditis),
and leaving the valves defective, or else inflammation
of the outer covering {pericarditis). These are detected
by pain, faintness, and by hearing the rubbing sounds
of pericarditis, or the blowing sounds, instead of the
sharp "lupp-dupp" when the endocardium is affected.
In rheumatic fever the temperature is sometimes very
high and dangerous to life ; sometimes it is but little
raised above the normal.
General Treatment. — This may be fitly summarized
in two words — flannels and gruel. It is necessary that
the patient should be clothed in a flannel night-dress,
and put to bed in blankets. The heavy perspiration
will soon saturate linen or cotton night-dresses and
chill the patient, whilst flannel or woollen garments
retain the heat and let the perspiration escape. The
food should be such as does not favour the formation
of lactic acid, the presence of which in the system
gives rise to most of the symptoms. The ultimate
cause is the lowered and perverted vitality, the con-
sequence of which is that the digestive faculties are
RHEUMATISM. 229
not equal to transforming the food and the tissues
perfectly. Waste products (especially lactic acid)
increase, and the rheumatic fever is the efforts the
system makes to get rid of them. It follows that only
the most easily digestible foods are admissible, and of
these gruel or gruel-kinds of food are the best. Milk
has so many advantages that it must in many cases be
resorted to, but its tendency to turn acid in the stomach
is against its use when it can be avoided. Chicken-tea,
mutton-broth, beef-tea, with barley, may be given, and
as a drink, barley-water as much as is desired. During
convalescence weak tea may be given as soon as the
patient can relish it, and a little bread and butter,
gradually returning to ordinary diet as the strength
increases. Those who have a tendency to rheumatism
should not eat much meat, and should take milk but
sparingly. Sweets also should be avoided, and watery
fruits and vegetables. Grain foods are the best — oat-
meal, barley, wheat-meal and whole-meal bread.
Medicines. — (Every two or three hours until improve-
ment sets in, the intervals between the doses being
lengthened as the symptoms abate.)
Aeon. — High fever, dry, hot skin, thirst, redness of the
cheeks ; shooting or tearing pains, worse at night ;
redness or shining swelling of the part affected ; pain
aggravated by touch ; extreme irritability of temper ; dis-
position to uncover the parts, and relief from doing it.
Bry. — Shooting, tearing or tensive pains; shifting pains,
which affect the muscles rather than the bones ; red
and shining swelling and rigidity of the parts affected ;
pains worse at night, and on the least movement ;
profuse perspiration, or coldness and shivering ; much
heat, wkh headache and derangement of the stomach \
peevish or passionate temper.
Merc. — Shooting, burning, or tearing pains, aggravated at
night, especially towards morning, and in the warm
230 RHEUMATISM.
bed, or by exposure to damp or cold air ; puffy swelling
of the affected parts ; the pains seem to be seated in
the bones or joints ; profuse perspiration without relief.
Lack. — After Merc, if insufficient.
Rhus. — Tearing, burning, or wrenching pains ; sensation
of weakness and crawling in the affected limb; red,
shining swelling of the joints, with rigidity or shootings
when touched; pains worse during rest, or in cold,
damp weather. After Aeon, or Bry.
Puls.—J?2xns aggravated in the evening, or at night in
bed, in a warm room, or on changing the position ;
pains which pass quickly from one joint to another ;
numbness in affected parts ; pains relieved by cool
air ; patient with pale face, disposed to shivers and to
chills.
Chin. — Pains aggravated by the slightest touch ; profuse
perspiration ; great debility, especially from loss of
blood or other fluids.
Sul, — Pain, swelling, stiffness, and weakness of joints
when the acute stage has passed.
Rheumatism, Chronic, and Rheumatic Gout. — Chronic
rheumatism is often a direct consequence of an acute
attack. When the fever passes off, the joints remain
permanently enlarged, stiff, and painful ; and when
the inflammation has been very intense, the joints
have been left perfectly rigid and immovable. But this
is not always the history. In many cases rheumatism is
chronic from the first, beginning as pains in the joint
without fever. This may subside and be cured, or it may
go on to cause crippling. Rheumatic gout is really a
different disease, though closely resembling chronic
rheumatism, and allied to it. It has nothing to do
with ordinary gout, as its name might lead us to sup-
pose. It is a chronic inflammation of the joints, with
increase in the size of the bones, causing a peculiar
RHEUMATISM. 231
deformity. When it attacks the hands and feet, the
fingers and toes are turned outwards. As far as treat-
ment is concerned, both forms may be conveniently
taken together.
General Treatment. — In all cases of acute rheumatism,
when the symptoms of active inflammation have sub-
sided, great attention must be paid to the joints. They
must not be allowed to become stiff. Movement must
be insisted on, though it will cost the patient some pain.
If he is unable to move the joints himself the nurse
must do it for him. Rubbing the affected part with
olive oil is useful. The patient should have nourishing
diet \ all food, especially meat, must be taken warm ;
watery fruits and vegetables should be avoided ; stewed
celery is good as a vegetable. When cold water dis-
agrees, toast-water or barley-water may be substituted.
The clothing should be warm, wool should be worn
next the skin ; it may be thin in summer, and thicker
in winter, but it must be all wool, containing no ad-
mixture of cotton. Whenever possible, a dry, chalk
soil should be chosen for residence; damp localities,
clay, and even gravel on clay, are especially bad.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Arsen. — Rheumatic gout ; burning pains ; great prostra-
tion, anxiety.
Bry. — Pains aggravated by the slightest chill or movement.
Rhus. — Attacks excited by bad weather ; change of
weather brings on a relapse ; pains aggravated by rest,
better by motion.
Merc. sol. — Pains excited by slightest chill; worse by
motion and heat of bed j joints red and hot to touch ;
stiffness of the joints.
Sulph. — Pain excited by slightest chill ; every change of
weather causes a relapse.
Lack. — Useful after Merc.
232 RICKETS— RINGWORM.
RICKETS. — This is a disease commonly met with in deli-
cate or hand-fed children. Its chief characteristic is
an undue softness of the bones, due to deficiency of
lime. The joints are large, due to swelling of the
ends of the bones, or rather of the cartilages which are
not yet transformed into bone. But the bones are not
the only part affected \ the muscles are weak and flabby,
and the child is ill-nourished throughout. They are
often plump-looking, but the plumpness consists of soft
fat, and not firm flesh. If not remedied, it ends in
bow legs and other deformities.
General Treatment. — There are two things of primary
importance in the management of rickets — proper food
and proper air. If the child is on the breast, and the
mother delicate and the milk poor, it must be weaned
and fed as advised under CHILDREN and INFANTS.
Good cow's milk, or one of the milk foods, as Carnrick's,
is the best. If the child can be sent to the country, to
some dry situation on the chalk, it will probably recover
without any additional treatment. It must, at the same
time, be warmly clad with soft, woollen material next
the skin.
Medicines. — (Twice a day until their action is manifest ;
to be then suspended for a time, and resumed when the
improvement seems to cease.)
Sil. — For thin children with large bodies, head per-
spiring, the perspiration being offensive.
Calc.c. — Fat children of soft fibre, head perspiring at
night, but not offensive odour.
Phos. — Thin, ill-nourished children, especially if of a
consumptive family.
RINGWORM. — This is a disease characterized by circular
red patches, covered with minute pustules which do not
rise above the surface, but soon break and form scabs.
The hairs are broken off short, the disease affecting pri-
RINGWORM. 233
marily the hair follicles, and being due to a microscopic
vegetable parasite which grows and spreads when
once the germ of it comes into contact with one who
is susceptible. It attacks the scalp in children, and
sometimes the face and hands. In older persons it is
not found on the scalp, but on the face, body, and
especially the armpits.
Diagnosis. — Ringworm is distinguished from other simi-
lar diseases by observing the hairs of the part affected
broken off short. A small lens is useful in searching
for the broken hairs.
General Treatment. — The strictest attention must be
given to cleanliness ; the head must be gently sponged
with tepid water twice a day, the hair kept closely
trimmed, and for an area round the affected spot the
hair must be cut quite close. Two or three times a
week the head must be washed with soft soap. The
diet must be plain and wholesome. Cod-liver oil may
be given internally, and the affected spot may be
touched with the same each time after the head is
washed. The disease is not purely local. It is not
all who are brought into contact with the contagion
who become infected ; there must be a constitutional
liability before the disease can develop. This is best
combated by medicines.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day; omit the remedy
as soon as decided improvement sets in, and resume
when the improvement begins to decline.)
Sep. — The best remedy to begin with.
Sul. — If the eruption becomes dry and scaly.
Staph. — Eruption moist and itching.
Arsen. — Corrosive discharge ; general health affected.
Hep. — Forehead, face, and neck affected ; eyes and eye-
brows red and inflamed.
234 ROSEOLA— SAINT VITUS' DANCE.
Ant. c. — A thick scab formed on the head ; the eruption
extends over the entire face, with itching of the whole
body.
ROSEOLA or ROSE-RASH.— This disease consists of an
eruption of rose-red spots very like those of measles.
It is distinguished from the latter by the absence of
symptoms of cold in the head, catarrh, and the slight
amount of fever. It is more common in warm weather,
and frequently depends on some derangement of the
stomach and bowels. The rash fades in a few days. The
disease is not dangerous nor contagious.
General Treatment. — Light diet and protection from
chills is all that is necessary.
Medicines. — (Every two hours.)
Aeon. — Restlessness, dry skin.
Bell. — Flushed face, redness and soreness of the throat.
Fuls. — Disordered digestion.
SAINT VITUS' DANCE.— This is a disease of the nervous
system, the precise nature of which is not known. It
is closely allied to rheumatism, and is often found
associated with it. It is almost entirely a disease of
childhood. The chief feature of it is a loss of control
over the movements of the limbs and features. When
the patient wishes to perform any act the limbs, instead
of doing what he wishes, are jerked in different direc-
tions. The first symptom noticed is often an unac-
countable clumsiness on the part of the child ; he
drops things for no reason, and a cup or a tumbler is
never safe in his hands. Children are often scolded or
punished for this when it is really a disease, and nothing
is more injurious. When children become fidgety,
clumsy, and stupid after being the opposite, St. Vitus'
dance (or C/iorea, as it is technically called) should
always be suspected. Except in the worst cases, there
SCARLATINA. 235
are no movements in sleep. It is quite curable, espe-
cially at the beginning.
General Treatment. — The great thing in chorea is to
clothe and feed the patient well. Woollen clothing
next the skin is a necessity. Bread, milk, and oatmeal
porridge, milk puddings, eggs, beef-tea, and meat should
be the dietary, with little sugar, sweets, pastry, and
confectionery. Open-air exercise is also necessary, and
if the child can be sent into the country, so much the
better.
Medicines. — (Three times a day.)
Agar. — This is the first medicine to be thought of.
Act. r. — If there are symptoms of rheumatism and rest-
lessness at night.
Arsen. — Where there is great debility.
SCALDS. See BURNS.
SCALLED HEAD. See under INFANTS, Milk-Crust.
SCARLATINA. — An infectious or zymotic fever like
measles, characterized by a bright red rash covering
the body, and making it the colour of boiled lobster ;
sore throat, high fever, with delirium, and ending in
peeling off of the cuticle or scarf-skin. The disease
commences to show itself on the parts covered by the
clothes, and soon spreads over the whole body. This
is one of the marks which distinguish it from measles,
which appears first on the face. Then in scarlatina
there are no cold symptoms, which are so marked in
measles, and the skin is dry and free from the peculiar
11 mousey " odour which the bodies of measles patients
emit.
About a day before the rash appears the scarlatina
patient feels ill, vomits his food, and, if a child, possibly
has a convulsion; fever sets in, sore throat is complained
of, and when looked at is seen to be red. When the
236 SCARLATINA.
disease runs a favourable course, the eruption fades in
a few days, the fever declines, the throat gets better,
and in a week the skin begins to peel.
The dangerous complications to be feared are the
sore throat becoming diphtheritic, when there will be
an acrid offensive discharge from the nose (but this
does not come on at the very beginning of the disease,
as is the case with the nose-running in measles); spread-
ing of the inflammation to the ears through the throat,
and inflammation of the glands of the neck; and in-
flammation of the kidneys and dropsy. All these are
dangerous conditions, and demand skilled medical
attention.
It must be borne in mind that scarlatina may some-
times exist and run its course without any rash. There
is generally sore throat, followed by peeling of the
skin, and at times inflammation of the kidneys. When
scarlatina breaks out in a house where some members
of the family have had it before, the latter may take
it in this modified form, if they do not take measures
to escape it.
Scarlatina is infectious from first to last — from the
time that the fever sets in until the peeling stage is
complete. It is this that makes it such a tedious
disease to treat. The patient must be put in quarantine
the whole time, which is generally from four to six
weeks.
For Diagnosis, see MEASLES.
General Treatment. — By way of prophyhxis, when
scarlatina breaks out in a house, all those who have
not had the disease should take a dose of belladonna 3,
night and morning. This will almost certainly prevent
the disease spreading.
The usual treatment for fever patients must be
adopted. A well-aired, well-warmed room, from which
all carpets and superfluous furniture have been removed,
SCARLATINA. 237
is the first requisite. A sheet hung over the door out-
side, moistened from time to time with some disin-
fectant, is a useful precaution, and serves as a warning
to passers. When the eruption comes out, the patient
should be sponged three times daily with vinegar and
hot water (one pint of vinegar to four of hot water).
After the fever is over the greatest care must be taken
to guard against chills. The patient should be washed
with warm water daily, and dressed in woollen clothing.
So long as there is peeling he should not go into the
open air.
The diet must be gruel, barley-water, water, beef-tea,
and milk. No solid food must be given so long as
there is any fever.
The poison of scarlatina is very difficult to get rid
of, and the most careful measures of disinfection are
required. The bedding used by the patient should be
either burnt or baked. The linen must be soaked in a
strong solution of carbolic acid before being sent to
the wash. In the room he has occupied sulphur must
be burnt, with doors and windows securely closed.
The room should be left so for twenty-four hours, and
then the windows opened wide till all the smell of
sulphur has gone. It may then be washed. Toys and
books should be burnt or baked.
Medicines. — (Every hour when the symptoms are very
acute, and less often when not so urgent.)
Acofi. — Before the eruption appears ; high fever, restless-
ness, anxiety, tossing about, head hot, hands and feet
cold.
Bell. — Eruption bright red and smooth ; throat and
tongue dry and burning ; great thirst, with difficulty
in swallowing ; throat bright red, jaws stiff; delirium.
Merc. — After Bell., when the latter does not seem to act.
Ulceration of the tonsils, increase of mucus, and swell-
ing of tongue, throat, and tonsils.
238 SCARS— SCIATICA.
Bry. — When the eruption does not come out well.
Rhus t. — After Be//., when there is delirious talking, with
dry tongue and pricking of the lips. After the fever,
when the neck begins to swell.
Lack. — Children very cross ; eruption dark in colour and
scanty ; diphtheritic membrane on throat.
Arsen.— Great prostration j eruption pale, scanty ; ulcers
of the throat turn livid about the edges and emit an
offensive odour. Arsen. may follow Rhus, if in-
sufficient, when the glands of the neck swell ; also
when dropsy follows taking cold.
SCARS. — Sometimes scars of old wounds become irritable
and inflamed years after the wound has healed. Some-
times they even grow in size, and then they constitute
the tumour called Cheloid.
Treatment. — The only treatment for this condition is
treatment by medicines, and Silica given twice a day
will be found the most effective remedy.
SCIATICA. — The two sciatic nerves are the largest nerves
in the body. They pass out of the spinal column, at
its lowest part, by several heads, and pass down the
limbs behind the hip joints, descending to the feet. They
gradually diminish in size, as they give off branches to
the various muscles and parts of the limb as they de-
scend. When this nerve becomes the seat of neuralgia
it is called " sciatica." The pain of it is often intense,
and is felt in the course of the nerve, the tenderest
point being at the back of the hip. Rheumatic pain
in the hip-joint may be mistaken for sciatica at times.
Sciatica itself may be of rheumatic origin. It often
follows a chill, and those who are of rheumatic consti-
tution are more liable to be affected than others.
Diagnosis. — Sciatica must be distinguished from hip
rheumatism and from paralytic affection of the spine.
In rheumatism of the hip-joint many of the symptoms
SCROFULA. 239
can be referred to that region. The pains may extend
down the limb, but the tenderest part is the hip-joint,
and the pains are worse when the joint is moved or
pressed upon. Paralytic diseases of the spine are more
apt to be two-sided than sciatica, which affects one side
only as a rule ; and presence of paralysis or loss of
power in the lower limbs, independently of the pain, is
an additional distinguishing feature.
General Treatment. — In the way of general treatment
there is not much to be done, except by keeping the
limb warm and avoiding anything likely to lower the
general health. Generous diet should be prescribed,
and the patient's strength kept up. Massage by a
skilled masseur or nurse will often help greatly.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Rhus. — Pains aggravated by rest, and better by motion.
Coloc. — When in the right hip ; when induced by anger
or indigestion.
Aeon. — When accompanied by numbness in the limb or
toes.
Arsen. — Pains acute, dragging, sensation of cold in the
part affected; pains periodical; in weak and emaciated
persons.
Nux vom. — When the pain is attended by a sensation of
stiffness or contraction of the limb ; torpor, with chilli-
ness in the affected parts.
Ign. — Cutting pains, especially on moving the limb.
Chain.— Pains worse at night; with excessive sensitiveness.
SCREAMING OF CHILDREN. See under INFANTS,
Crying.
SCROFULA. — This is a constitutional state which manifests
itself in peculiarly intractable inflammation, particularly
of the skin, eyes and eyelids, glands and bowels, and in
consumption of the lungs. These inflammations are
described under their several headings, but a word may
240 SEA-SICKNESS.
be said of the constitution. It is inherited, but it may
be remedied to a large extent, if not entirely. There
are two types of the scrofulous constitution : the fat,
pale, fair, sluggish child constitutes an example of one
type ; the thin, active, restless child, with large, dark
eyes and long lashes, is the pattern of the other.
General Treatment. — Fresh air, warmth, good whole-
some diet, into which milk largely enters, and sweets
not at all, are the principal general measures by which
scrofula may be combated. Cod-liver oil two or three
times a day should be given wherever it is tolerated,
and rubbing the child with cod-liver oil at night will
induce vital reaction when nothing else will. Married
people who know themselves to be affected with the
tendency should submit to treatment, and their children
are much more likely to escape.
Medicines. — (To be taken twice daily, night and morn-
ing, for one or two weeks, and then suspended for the
same period, and again resumed.)
Calc. carb. — This medicine corresponds to the first-men-
tioned type — that of sluggish children. If the head
perspires at night the perspiration is not offensive.
Silic. — Is more suited to thin, restless children. When
there is perspiration it is offensive.
Phos, — If there is any tendency to chest affections.
Sulphur. — When there are irritable eruptions, worse at
night, sour perspiration, constipation, hot head and cold
feet.
SCURF. See DANDRIFF. Also see under INFANTS,
Scurf.
SCURVY. See MOUTH.
SEA-SICKNESS. — The primary cause of sea-sickness is the
motion of the vessel, but steamers, with the smell of
their oily machinery, have added another nauseating
element.
SHINGLES. 241
General Treatment. — For those who suffer severely
the best plan is to have a good meal before going on
board, and if the voyage is short to lie down at once
and remain so all the way. If the voyage is a long one
the malady must be fought and conquered. The patient
must take food and exercise. No matter if the food
returns at once more must be taken. If the patient
cannot walk alone he must take exercise supported by
some one on either side. Different kinds of food will
be acceptable to different patients. Soup will be the
most easily taken in a general way. Some can eat raw
ham highly peppered. When once a beginning is made
other things can be taken.
Medicines. — The two chief remedies for sea-sickness are
Cocculus and Petroleum. Considering that oil made
from the latter is used for the machinery of steamers,
those who are powerfully affected by the smell should
take Cocculus ; for the rest Petroleum should have the
preference. The best way is to have a packet of
powders of sugar of milk, each containing one drop of
the tincture. One of these should be taken an hour
before embarking ; and according to the urgency of the
symptoms, one should be taken every twenty minutes,
half an hour, or hour afterwards until the symptoms
subside.
SHINGLES. — This is a disease characterized by the ap-
pearance of small blisters on an inflamed base along
the course of a nerve — sometimes of the face, some-
times of the side — preceded, accompanied, and some-
times followed by severe neuralgic pains. When it
appears on the face it is called Herpes Facialis, and
when on the side Herpes Zoster, Shingles, or Zona.
General Treatment. — When the eruption is situated
so that it comes in contact with the clothes measures
must be taken to prevent friction. A simple ointment
Q
242 SICK-ROOM.
(cetacean, or prepared lard) spread on a piece of lint
to cover the spots, and over this a pad of cotton-wool,
will form the means to this end. When there is much
burning in the spots let them be bathed (gently, so as
not to break them) with a lotion of Cantharis 3X (half
a teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls of water).
Medicines. — (Every four hours.)
Rhus. — The most useful medicine to begin with.
Arsen. — In chronic cases and in debilitated persons.
SICK HEADACHE. See HEADACHE.
SICK, REGIMEN OF. See under DIET.
SICK-ROOM. — The chief requisites for the sick room are —
Plenty of fresh air of moderate temperature, as much
light as is agreeable to the patient, and quietness. By
way of furniture, there should be just as much as the
patient and nurse require, and no more — bed, one or two
tables, and a couple of chairs. The bed should have no
curtains or hangings. For ventilation there is nothing
better than an open fireplace and fire enough to keep
the room at a proper temperature. If the weather is
cold it is well, when possible, to keep a window open
in an adjacent room, and a good fire burning. If the
door of this room is kept open, and also the door of
the sick room (as much or as little as is desired), the
fresh warm air will be drawn from the vacant room into
the sick room. Otherwise the window of the sick-
room may be kept open so long as there is no draught
on the bed.
Quietness is a great requisite. Only as many people
as are required to attend on the patient should be
allowed in the room at one time. The number of
visitors should be strictly controlled by the medical
man, as there is nothing so fatiguing to a patient
(especially during convalescence) than to see persons
whom he has not constantly about him.
SIGHT. J43
SIGHT. — The sight may be affected in many different ways.
It may be impaired by inflammation, or the conse-
quences of inflammation. Or the transparent parts of
the eye, as the lens, may become opaque, which is
"cataract." But the commonest causes of defective
sight are peculiarities in the shape of the eye. Of these
there are three principal ones — short-sightedness (my-
opia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia), and old-sighted-
ness (presbyopia). In addition to these is another
defect caused by irregularities in the curves of the
transparent part of the front of the eye (the cornea)
This is called " Astigmatism." All these defects can
be corrected with glasses.
Near-sightedness depends on the eye being too long
from before backward. The image of all objects,
except those quite close to the eye, is formed in front
of, instead of upon, the retina (the membrane which is
the actual organ of sight) at the back of the eye. This
condition may be inherited, or it may be brought on
by over-use of the eyes, especially in children. The
remedy is concave glasses, which should be worn by
the child as soon as ever the defect is detected.
Long-sightedxf>s is due to the opposite defect ; the
eyeball is too short from front to back, and the image
is formed behind the retina. This is always an inherited
defect. It is corrected by convex glasses. What is
commonly called " weak sight" is in a general way due
to this defect. In early life it is not so much noticed,
as the accommodating powers of the lens of the eye
are great enough to overcome it. The first thing that
is noticed is that distant objects are seen clearly, but
the vision of near objects is blurred. If not corrected
early this condition may lead to squint.
Old Sight. — Persons who have always had good sight,
when they come to the age of forty- three to forty-five
244 SKIN.
find that they must hold books and newspapers they
are reading further off than previously. This is due to
changes in the crystalline lens of the eye, and requires
the use of glasses.
The choice of spectacles is not to be entrusted to
ignorant persons. For simple defects an experienced
optician will be able to suit the patient. But for de-
fects that are at all complicated it will be necessary to
consult an oculist, who will examine the eye and pre-
scribe the glasses needed.
Persons who work near fires, or travellers in snow
regions, or where there is dazzling sunlight, should wear
light-blue spectacles.
For the preservation of sight originally good, care
must be taken to have a good light for using them —
the light to fall on the work, not on the eyes. It should
come from the side, and a little behind. Close work
should never be carried on continuously without a rest.
Reading should not be done whilst riding, unless the
carriage is very steady.
See also BLINDNESS, EYES, INFANTS.
SKIN. — The skin is one of the principal organs of the
body. As well as affording a covering, it contains in-
numerable sweat glands and glands for the secretion
of an oily, sebaceous material which keeps it soft and
pliable. It follows that it is a matter of great im-
portance to keep the skin healthy. Exercise, friction,
cleanliness, and wholesome feeding are all necessary
for this. The morning cold bath, followed by a brisk
rubbing with a rough towel, is an excellent measure
for those who are robust and have good reaction. For
those who are less robust the tepid bath may be
substituted, and those who are excessively chilly and
sensitive to cold chills and damp may be sponged
rapidly with spirit of wine. Those who have dry, harsh
SLEEP. 245
skins and are ill-nourished should be rubbed at night
with cod-liver oil and sleep in a flannel night-dress. In
the morning they may be sponged with tepid water
and rubbed with rough towels. For those who are
chilly it is necessary to have underclothing entirely of
wool ; no mixture of cotton and wool is enough.
The skin is often the outlet for chronic delicacies to
manifest themselves upon. In these cases care must
be taken not to treat them as if they were merely local
affections. Many persons who suffer from eczema
notice that they are much better when the disease is
out than when it is in, and it must always be regarded
as a misfortune when a skin disease disappears and
some internal disease shows itself instead. The only
proper treatment for all such affections is that which
regards the constitution as a whole — in other words
homoeopathy, as taught by Hahnemann.
For the treatment of the various kinds of skin disease,
see under ACNE, ERUPTIONS, ECZEMA, PSO-
RIASIS, SHINGLES, &c. For general delicacy of
the skin the following medicines will be found of great
service : —
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Hep. — Skin unhealthy, slightest scratches tend to fester.
Petrol. — After Hepar.
Sulph. — Skin irrtable and tendency to itching eruptions.
SLEEP. — Healthy persons fall asleep as soon as they
go to bed, and wake when they have had sufficient.
They should get up then, because it is just as easy to
take too much sleep as too little. In the matter of the
right amount of sleep every person is a law to himself.
For the majority of men seven hours is enough. Most
women require more. The reason of this is not
obvious ; but the fact that their mode of dressing is
different from that of men, and limits the movement
246 SLEEP.
of the chest and body more, may have something to
do with it. At night all hindrances to proper chest
movements are removed, and the want of this freedom
during the day may render longer hours of rest and
relaxation necessary. Healthy females who go to bed
at ten or eleven should rise at six or seven at the
latest. They can generally wake at that hour. Drowsi-
ness during the day in youths is a sign of feebleness,
and ought to be medically treated. In those who are
not very strong it is not a bad thing, and a short nap
after meals will do them good.
Sleeplessness is more frequently complained of than
the opposite condition. It is an accompaniment of
many diseases, and it may constitute a disease in
itself. It may arise from eating too much in the evening
or not eating enough, or it may arise from drinking
coffee or tea. Excitement, over-exertion, or mental or
emotional shocks may cause it, When the cause can
be found it will be necessary to remove it.
General Treatment. — Let the feet be kept warm, and,
if necessary, by a hot bottle placed in the bed at night.
Let there be some nourishment, as milk, blancmange,
or jelly, of which the patient, if sleepless, may take one
or two spoonfuls from time to time. The old-fashioned
plan of counting an imaginary interminable flock of
sheep as they jump, one by one, through a gap in a
hedge, may be tried,
Medicines. — (A dose to be taken just before getting into
bed, and repeated in half an hour if necessary.)
Aeon. — When there is much sleeplessness, restlessness,
anxiety, or feverishness. After agitating events.
Opium. — In old people ; various figures and visions appear
before the eyes and prevent sleeping.
Bell. — After Opiu?n.
Coff. — After exciting and agreeable events ; useful for
children.
SMALLPOX. 247
Ign. — Thoughts of the day's doings j from tormenting
events, and such as cause dejection.
Cham. — Connected with bowel complaints and flatu-
lency.
Puis. — When following a surfeit.
Nux v. — After late reading or singing.
SMALLPOX. — This is one of the infectious, eruptive
fevers, depending on a specific poison the exact
nature of which is not known. It generally attacks a
person only once in a lifetime, and after vaccination the
susceptibility is lessened for a time. When smallpox
is caught by inhaling the poison the disease is generally
more intense than when it is transfeired by introducing
smallpox matter under the skin. The discovery of
this fact led to the practice of " inoculation." But the
disease when taken in this way was not always mild,
and was sometimes fatal, and the person inoculated
was just as likely to spread the infection in the intense
form as any other smallpox patient, and this led to
the abandonment of the practice before vaccinaticij
came in.
The incubation period (that is, the time between the
infection and the first appearance of symptoms) is ten
days. The first symptom is severe backache, and with
this there is headache and fever. There is also a
dirty tongue, and symptoms of deranged stomach. At
the end of the third day small red spots appear, first on
the face, communicating a "shotty" feel to the touch,
and then appear on the body and limbs. On the
second day the pock has a little blister at the top,
which soon becomes filled with milky fluid. The
centre of the pock is depressed. It takes nine days
for the eruption to come to full maturity, and there is
a marked subsidence of the symptoms. In a day or
two the second stage — that of suppuration — begins, and
248 SMALLPOX.
then there is rise of fever again. This lasts only a
short time, and after this the pocks begin to dry up, a
scab forms and becomes black. When this separates,
if it is in a part that has been exposed to the air, it
leaves a depressed scar or pit. When the eruption is
very profuse the pocks run into one another, and the
disease is called confluent smallpox. This is always
dangerous. The critical days are the eighth and the
eleventh. It is on these that the greatest number of
deaths occur.
Diagnosis. — When smallpox is fully developed there is
very little chance of making a mistake, but in the early
stage, when the eruption is just beginning to appear,
it is sometimes taken for measles. If, however, the
finger is passed over the skin the eruption will be found
to communicate a " shotty feeling," as if there were
fine shot under the skin. In measles the eruption is
raised, but it does not give this feeling.
General Treatment. — The proper ventilation, lighting,
and warming of the sick room are of the greatest im-
portance. It should contain nothing that is not abso-
lutely required, and should be isolated from the rest of
the house. The nurse or nurses must also be quaran-
tined.
During the first part of the illness the patient must
be kept on low diet — milk, gruel, beef-tea, and no
solids. When the fever is gone he must be fed well,
and may take any plain food he can relish.
The face must be carefully protected from the light
by a mask made of linen, and smeared with vaseline, or
else with carron oil (equal parts of linseed oil and lime-
water). Twice or three times a day the patient must
be sponged (or brushed with a long-haired brush, such
as is used for whitewashing) all over with a solution of
carbolic acid (one part of the acid to sixty parts of warm
water) ; this will be found most grateful to the patient.
SPASMS. 249
This may be continued throughout the fever, and as
long as the patient likes it.
Medicines. — (Every half-hour to every two or three hours
according to urgency.)
Aeon. — Before the eruption comes out; congestion to the
head, injected eyes, fulness of the chest, palpitation,
great restlessness.
Bell. — Before the eruption, delirium with headache; red
face ; inflammation of the eyes, with anxious look ; in-
tolerance of noises.
Bry. — Headache and backache ; cough, with soreness of
the chest ; constipation.
Rhus. — Great backache, restlessness, vesicles beginning
to form.
Ant. tar. — Drowsiness, with gaping ; coolness, with
clamminess of the skin ; vomiting when the eruption
ought to appear.
Mere. — Sore throat, ulceration about the eyes and nose ;
foetid breath, and pains in the bowels, with perspiration
and diarrhoea ; matter forming in the pocks.
Arsen. — Patients very restless, anxious, delirious ; twitch,
and throw themselves about ; abdomen bloats, is very
sensitive to touch ; diarrhoea sets in.
Sulph. — For the itching during the drying stage.
SNAKE-BITES. See BITES.
SPASMS. — Any part of the body which contains muscular
fibres may be the seat of spasms ; but the affection
which is commonly known by that name is an affection
of the bowels and stomach, which become spasmodically
contracted in consequence of seme irritation or other,
and principally wind. Gouty persons are more liable
to these attacks than others. Voiding of wind, either
by the mouth or the bowel, gives relief. The attacks
are exceedingly painful.
250 SPASMS.
General Treatment. — The thing not to do for spasms
is to drink spirits or take carbonate of soda. These, if
they give temporary ease, only aggravate in the long
run. Hot applications to the stomach will relieve —
either an india-rubber hot-water bottle or a bag of hot
salt ; a little milk or weak chicken-tea may be sipped
from time to time.
Medicines. — (Every five or ten minutes until relieved.)
Nux v. — Pain severe after eating, after rising early ;
sometimes disturbing the patient in his sleep. Chest
oppressed as if encircled by a band ; nausea, salivation,
sour, bitter, burning fluid rising in the throat ; vomiting
of food ; sour, putrid taste in the mouth ; flatulency,
distension of the abdomen, and constipation ; cramp
in the stomach during menstruation.
Puis. — May be given after Nux, if the latter ceases to
benefit. Piercing pains when walking, especially on
making a false step, always accompanied by nausea
and vomiting; evacuations loose; tension of the body,
with violent throbbing and anxiety. Suited to persons
of a mild disposition, and to cases where eating rich or
fat food was the cause. Cramp in the stomach during
menstruation if the flow is scanty.
Ignat. — After Pulsatilla. Pains like those of Nux, but
without the hard stools, and with less vomiting. Pres-
sure in upper part of stomach after every meal, or in
the lower part of the throat ; stomach feels as if hanging
on a thread. Suitable to cases due to insufficient
food.
Chi. — In persons debilitated by cathartic drugs, emetics,
loss of blood, or nursing women. Stomach weak, feet
cold, food causes inflation of the stomach ; pains worse
when patient is at rest, better when in motion.
Carb. veg. — After Nux. Burning pain, or constant, pain-
ful, anxious pressure, worse when touched ; or contract-
ing, spasmodic sensation, forcing the patient to bend,
SPRAINS. 251
taking away his breath, aggravated by lying down ;
heartburn, nausea, loathing at the very thought of
food ; constipation.
Cham. — Pressure in the stomach as from a stone ; pit of
stomach and its parts under the ribs distended so as to
cause anxiety or shortness of breath. Symptoms worse
during the night; patient extremely uneasy and agitated,
tosses about on the bed, and sweats profusely. Cramp
in the stomach during menstruation. After A'ux.
Bry. — Pressure as from a load on the stomach, as Cha-
momilla, especially when it begins during a meal or
immediately after ; the pit of the stomach feels as if
swollen ; the pressure may change to a contracting,
pinching, or cutting pain, relieved by pressing on the
stomach or by eructations of wind ; pains aggravated by
motion (opposite to those of China.) \ constipation ;
pressure in the forehead.
SPITTING OF BLOOD. See BLOOD-SPITTING.
SPRAINS. — When a limb receives some wound or twist
without the breaking of a bone, there may be breaking
of ligaments or muscles. This constitutes a sprain. It
is evidenced by pain and swelling, and, it may be, by
bruising.
General Treatment. — When a limb or a joint is
sprained it should be placed in water as hot as can be
borne, in which tincture of arnica (a teaspoonful to the
quart) has been mixed. This may be repeated every
four hours till the inflammation and pain have subsided.
Then if it is a joint, as the ankle-joint, it must be
strapped with broad strips of adhesive plaster to give it
support, and the patient must then walk about ; or move
and use the joint, if it is not in the lower limb. The
joint must on no account be allowed to become stiff,
and if movement causes a little pain, that must not be
minded.
252 SQUINTING— STUTTERING.
Medicines. — (Every hour until the pain subsides, then
less often.)
Am. — If there is bruising as well as sprain.
Rhus. — Pain, restlessness, and stiffness.
Sulph. — Stiffness remaining after a sprain.
SQUINTING. — In children this is often due to weakness of
constitution, either inherited or following on exhausting
disease, as scarlatina. One or other of the muscles
which move the eye becomes weak and does not move
the eye properly. This is sometimes recovered from
without treatment. Squinting is sometimes due to
irritation of the brain caused by worms. It may be
due to the light falling always on the same side of the
child's cot. More commonly it is due to defective
vision.
General Treatment. — See that there is nothing wrong
with the general health of the child, and that it is not
allowed to sleep with a high light at one side of its cot.
When the vision is defective a physician must be con-
sulted.
Medicines. — (Three or four times a day.)
Bell. — If there is great heat of the head.
Cina. — When there are worms.
Cupr. — After scarlatina.
See also under INFANTS— Squinting.
STIFF NECK. See NECK, CRICK IN, and WRY-NECK.
STING. See BITES.
STOMACH, AFFECTIONS OF. See BLOOD VOMIT-
ING, DIARRHEA, DYSPEPSIA, HEARTBURN,
SPASMS, VOMITING.
STUTTERING.— This is a nervous affection, but it may be
overcome by practice. Children should be made to
breathe deeply and slowly. During the slow expiration
SUNSTROKE. 253
they should be made to clap their hands at first, and
afterwards to pronounce a few words, but not during
inspiration. Sometimes it is curable by medicines.
Medicines. — (Once a day.)
Bell.— At first.
Merc. — After Bell.
Strain. — If these fail.
STYES. See under EYELIDS.
SUNSTROKE. — It is not always the direct rays of the sun
which produce the condition known as sunstroke ; ex-
posure to excessive heat of any kind will do it. There
are degrees of sunstroke or heatstroke, from violent,
tight, throbbing headache, to complete paralysis of all
the limbs and loss of consciousness.
General Treatment. — When overheated in summer by
working, a few drops of spirit (whisky or brandy)
should be taken on a little sugar, or a small quantity
of strong wine. No cold water should be drank. If
much fatigued, as well as overheated, a cup of tea is
better. In cases of sunstroke, with heat of the head
externally, warm water should be applied either on
cloths or poured on.
Medicines. — (Every five minutes until reaction sets in.)
Glon. — Patients fall down as if struck by apoplexy ;
eyes fixed, glassy, without expression ; pulse scarcely
perceptible ; face pale ; there may be retching ; cold
sweat ; body cold, head hot. In less severe attacks,
when the head feels too full, throbbing as if it would
burst.
Aeon. — Body hot all over, pulse large, hard, and full ;
signs of distress and anxiety, shown by starting, putting
hands to head, grinding teeth, rolling eyes.
Bell. — Eyes fixed, half open, turned upwards ; face red,
head and whole body hot, involuntary passing of urine
and faeces ; pulse full and hard ; occasional twitching or
254 TAPE-WORMS.
trembling of the limbs; putting hands to head; bending
head backward ; heavy sleep.
In headache from heat, where there is fulness as if
pressed asunder, as if the contents would fall out at
the forehead, increased by walking, stepping, or every
motion ; with fever, thirst, vomiting, sleeplessness,
anxiety, uneasiness, starting, weeping.
Bryon. — Headache from overheating, like that of Bell..
when the patient is weak and peevish, cannot bear the
pressure of his clothes, passionate and cross.
SWOONING. See FAINTING.
TAPE-WORMS.— These parasites infest the intestines. They
are called solitary worms because they do not occur in
numbers as other worms do, but alone. Sometimes
they give rise to no symptoms, but more generally they
cause all sorts of abdominal pains. Many persons
imagine they have tape-worm from their having a feel-
ing as if there was something alive inside. The only
sure sign is the finding parts of the worm in the stools,
and no person should be treated for tape-worm unless
these have been found. The worm consists of a head
which is very small and a body which consists of flat,
oblong segments, each segment being complete in itself,
and containing the eggs of the creature. These seg-
ments come away from time to time, but so long as the
head remains they will be replaced.
General Treatment. — When once the worm has found
lodgment in the bowels there is not much to be done
except by way of medicines. But by way of prevention
much may be done. Before the eggs of the tape-worm
can develop they must pass through an intermediate
stage. They must be eaten by some animal and enter
into its flesh. If the flesh is eaten uncooked the eater
will most likely have tape-worm. The disease is com-
mon in counties where raw ham is eaten, pigs not being
TASTE DISORDERED OR LOST.
clean-feeding animals. The inference is that all meat
should be well cooked before it is eaten.
Medicines — (The object of medicines is either to poison
the worm, or so to affect the constitution as to render
it uncongenial to the worm. The latter is sometimes
accomplished by homoeopathic medicines ; the former
must only be undertaken by a physician. The medicines
should be taken one dose every morning for a week.)
Calc. c. — To begin with.
Spig. — After Calc.
Sulph.—\{ these fail.
TASTE DISORDERED or LOST.— Loss of taste is a fre-
quent accompaniment of cold in the head, and it usually
passes off with the cold. Indigestion is accountable for
the bad taste that some people experience in the morn-
ing, and various other derangements of taste.
General Treatment. — When the taste is disordered
great care should be taken with the teeth. They should
be cleaned after each meal, or at least night and morn-
ing. All rich and fat food should be avoided.
Medicines.— (Every few hours.)
Xat. m. — Loss of tasfe after a cold : food tastes bitter ;
the taste of food eaten remains long in the mouth.
Merc. — Bread tastes sweet ; salty, sweet, or taste of bad
eggs in the mouth ; bitter taste in the morning ; food
has no flavour.
Bry. — Bitter taste in the mouth in the morning; food has
no flavour.
Fuls. — Earthy taste ; loss of taste.
Nux. — Bid taste in the mouth in the morning ; food and
drink taste sour ; sour, bitter taste ; bad odour from the
mouth.
Calc. — Offensive, sour taste.
Sulph. — Bitter, pasty, bilious, metallic ; like vinegar ;
taste of blood.
256 TEETH.
TEA, BAD EFFECTS OF.— Tea, when indulged in to ex-
cess, causes indigestion and nervousness.
General Treatment. — This consists in leaving off tea.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
China, is the chief antidote to tea-poisons, both for acute
and chronic cases.
Ignat. may be given instead of China., when there is
extreme nervousness.
Ferrum. — In chronic cases when China, is not sufficient.
TEETH. — The causes of decay of the teeth are paitly con-
stitutional, partly nutritional, and partly arising from
neglect. In families where the teeth decay early, the
coming generation may be protected by careful treat-
ment of their parents. Child-bearing women should be
very careful to eat such articles of food as contain suffi-
cient lime salts, such as good whole-meal bread, and
they should take internally remedies which promote the
growth of bone. Many women, as they say, " lose a
tooth " for every child they bring into the world ; that
is to say, they find that a tooth decays after each birth.
Proper diet and treatment would prevent this. Teeth
should be properly cleansed if they are to be preserved.
After each meal the particles of food that lodge in the
interstices between the teeth should be removed with
a quill or a wood tooth-pick. If they are allowed to
remain they decompose, and the acids formed will
destroy the enamel. All sweet, rich foods tend to
destroy the teeth.
The following advice on the prevention of caries, or
decay, of the teeth I take the liberty of transferring
from The Prescriber : —
" To prevent caries, live on simple food ; too rich,
too sweet, or too exclusively animal a diet, each tends
to produce such a condition of the digestion and secre-
tions of the mouth as favours the destruction of the
TEETH. 257
teeth. Vegetarians say that their teeth are easily kept
clean. The next most important point is to clean the
teeth thoroughly and regularly. The formation of
tartar on the teeth is by no means preservative of
them, as is vulgarly imagined ; it tends simply to de-
stroy the gum and rob the teeth of support. When it
has formed it should be taken off by a dentist, if neces-
sary, by the process of scaling. It should never be
allowed to re-form. The best dentifrices are the
simplest ; those, for instance, composed of powdered
Castile soap, with a little powder of harder grain for
polishing the enamel. Such a tooth-powder is Dr. C.
R. Coffin's American Dentifrice, prepared by Darling
of Manchester. The best brush is one neither very
soft nor very hard. The first teeth of children should
be most scrupulously cared for. If they are allowed
to decay and come out, the jaws fail to expand pro-
perly, and the seeds are laid of future trouble with the
second set. Besides, the first set give evidence of
those depraved conditions of constitution which by
proper treatment may be in large measure or wholly
counteracted before the second set appear. For all
reasons, then, the temporary teeth demand the careful
attention of both parents and physicians. It is quite
as necessary that carious temporary teeth should be
stopped, whenever possible, as it is that the permanent
should."
The constitutional treatment should be carried out
under a medical man, but a few hints may be given
here.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Merc. — In children if the teeth are peg-shaped ; decay
ensuing, turning black, bleeding gums j teeth falling
out without cause. [This may be given to child-
bearing women whose elder children have peg-shaped
teeth.]
R
258 THROAT, SORE.
Calc. c. — For fat, scrofulous children.
Phos. — Teeth become discolouied, decay, and fall out;
bleeding of the gums and formation of abscesses.
Kreas. — Rapid decay of teeth, with much toothache.
Calc. Phos. — For pregnant and nursing women whose
previous children have been rickety.
See also TOOTHACHE.
TEETHING. See under INFANTS, Teething-
THREAD-WORMS. See WORMS.
THROAT, SORE.— When sore throat is spoken of it refers
to the back part of the mouth (pharynx) leading into
the gullet. When the larynx (the voice-box), which
forms the " Adam's apple," is affected, the condition is
called laryngitis, and is a quite different affection,
though in diphtheria, the worst form of sore throat
(see DIPHTHERIA), the larynx is apt to be affected
as well as the pharynx. The throat is best seen by
placing the patient on a chair before a good light and
directing him to open his mouth wide and say "ah." It
may be necessary to depress the tongue with a spoon-
handle at the same time. This brings into view at the
back a smooth piece of mucous membrane which lies
in front of the spinal column and forms the back wall
of the throat. In front of this, rising up from each
side of the root of the tongue, and passing up to the
palate, are two folds of mucous membrane. Between
these folds lie the tonsils, one on each side of the
throat. The soft palate, with the uvula in the centre,
completer the arch of mucous membrane leading into
the cavity of the pharynx. From the back part of the
throat, just above the palate, the " Eustachian tubes"
lead into the cavity of the ear. It is to swelling of the
mucous membrane of these tubes that deafness is due
in cases of sore throat and cold.
THROAT, SORE. 259
When the throat is inflamed any part of the structure
described may be affected. When it is the tonsils mainly
or chiefly, the disease is called Tonsillitis or Quinsy (see
QUINSY). Simple, acute sore throat from cold consists
of extensive inflammation of the mucous membrane. A
chronic form of sore throat, due to repeated attacks of
acute inflammation, from overstraining in speaking or
singing, or from constitutional weakness, goes by the
various names of chronic, relaxed sore throat, clergyman 's
sore throat, and granular sore throat. Persons who suffer
from this are constantly liable to acute attacks from very
slight causes. There is generally a great deal of hoarse-
ness in these cases.
General Treatment. — When sore throat first comes
on, a cold-water compress (two or three folds of linen
wrung out of cold water applied across the throat and
round the neck; this covered with a roll of flannel or a
long worsted stocking) is an excellent remedy. Very
often it will suffice of itself to cure. It should be
applied on going to bed.
Those who suffer from chronic sore throat should let
their beards grow. Speakers must be careful not to
overstrain their throats ; bad methods of producing the
voice and breathing are responsible for many sore
throats. It is well to bathe the throat and neck well
with cold water every morning, and not wrap it up too
warmly.
The only safe gargle to use is milk. The vapour of
hot milk may also be inhaled, or of milk that has had
figs boiled in it. This may be also drunk.
Medicines. — (Every hour to every four or six hours
according to urgency.)
Aeon. — Difficulty in swallowing or speaking ; throat red ;
burning, pricking, contracting sensation, accompanied
by fever, anxiety, impatience and uneasiness.
Bell. — Dry, burning sensation in throat ; a disposition to
26o THROAT, SORE.
hawk up something ; violent, pricking pains when
swallowing or hawking ; spasm on attempting to swal-
low fluids ; pressing, shooting in tonsils ; dry, furred
tongue.
Merc. — After Be//., in cases similar to those described
under that medicine ; sensation of hot vapour rising in
throat ; tongue furred and flabby, bearing the impres-
sion of the teeth ; painless ulcers.
Hep. — Pricking pains, violent when swallowing, extending
to the ears, or glands of the throat ; sensation as if a
fish-bone were in the throat ; disagreeable taste in the
mouth ; salivation ; heat, chills, perspiration which does
not relieve ; uneasiness ; symptoms worse at night, in
cold air. After Merc.
Lack. — Throat always worse after sleeping; continual
desire to swallow ; accumulation of mucus ; ulcers ;
spasm of the throat ; throat very sensitive to touch.
Pu/s. — Sensation of swelling like a plug in the throat on
swallowing ; redness, sensation of scraping ; dryness
without thirst ; shooting pains, worse when not swallow-
ing ; feeling of tension ; throat bluish-red \ chilliness in
evening, followed by heat ; fever without thirst.
Bry. — Throat painful on being touched, or on moving the
head ; swallowing difficult and painful, as if a hard
substance in the throat ; shooting pains and soreness,
attended with dryness, or a feeling of dryness, which
makes swallowing difficult ; fever, dry mouth, with or
without thirst, great irritability ; after being overheated,
or after eating ice or drinking ice-water.
Rhus. — When with the sore throat there is extreme rest-
lessness ; bloody saliva runs from mouth.
Apis. — Patient always chilly, afraid of open air, cannot
bear close room ; fever without thirst ; tongue and throat
as if scalded ; stinging when swallowing ; swelling look-
ing as if the throat had been stung by a bee.
Su/ph. — Sore throat frequently recurring, or chronic sore
THRUSH OR FROG. 261
throat j swelling, difficult swallowing ; peculiar pricking
pains, sensation as if a lump in the throat, or as if the
throat were too narrow, with soreness or dryness.
Phos. — Swelling and redness of the soft palate, difficult
swallowing, pricking pains.
Lack. — Uvula chiefly or alone swollen, with the same
symptoms as Sulph.
Am. — " Clergyman's sore throat," when due to over-
straining of the voice.
Ifydr. — Chronic, granular sore throat; much secretion
of mucus, which drops from the back of the nose into
the throat.
THRUSH or FROG. — These are popular names for inflam-
mation of the mucous membrane of the mouth (Aphthae)
which occurs in the last stage of wasting diseases in
adults. It is a frequent affection of children in the
early months of life. In them it is of less significance,
though demanding great care. It is often accompanied
by excoriation between the legs of the child, and around
the anal orifice. It is then said to have "gone through"
the child, and there is a popular superstition among
nurses that it must "go through" the child before it
can be cured. The sooner this idea is banished the
better it will be for the infants. The disease seldom
arises except from disorder of digestion, and the cause
may often be found in the teat or tube of the feeding-
bottle. These are a favourite breeding-ground for all
manner of micro-organisms, which set up fermentation
in the food and act injuriously on the child, producing
sickness, diarrhoea, and thrush. The distinguishing
feature of thrush is the appearance of little white specks
on the lining membrane of the mouth.
General Treatment. — When the infant is brought up
by hand see that the tubes are thoroughly cleansed once
a day. When not in use let them lie in water in which
262 TOBACCO, THE EFFECTS OF.
a little soda has been dissolved. The teat should be
brushed with soap and water once a day at least. The
infant's mouth should be washed with water after each
time of feeding.
Medicines. — (These may be given in globules placed on
the tongue of the child, or, if given in liquid form, a
few drops of the tincture mixed in a little water; a few
drops of this may be put into the mouth two or three
times a day.)
Merc. — At the beginning ; much drivelling of saliva.
Sulph. — After Merc, if this does not cure.
Ars. — When there is great prostration and diarrhcea.
TIC DOLOUREUX. See NEURALGIA.
TOBACCO, THE EFFECTS OF.— Tobacco is a poison
which may produce either acute or chronic effects. In
those not used to it, it causes vomiting, nausea, pro-
stration, and fainting which may be fatal. Those who
indulge in the drug habitually, whether smoking, snuff-
ing, or chewing, suffer from the chronic effect of the
drug, or " Nicotism," as it has been called. This
takes many forms. In some it causes blindness ; in
others weakness of the heart, and in others indigestion
and wasting ; and of each of these there are varying
degrees of intensity. Some suffer from great nervous-
ness only. Cancer of the tongue and throat has often
been traced to smoking.
General Treatment. — The obvious remedy for tobacco
poisoning in all forms is to avoid tobacco. But often
this is not easy, and sometimes the damage done is so
great that leaving off the drug is not enough to remedy
the disease.
Medicines. — (Every few hours.)
Cai7iph. — This is very useful when the craving comes
on. The ordinary camphor pilules sold by homoeo-
pathic chemists are the best. One of these taken in
TONGUE. 263
the mouth when the craving for tobacco is felt will give
relief.
JVux v. is the best general antidote to the chronic effects
of tobacco — nervousness, dyspepsia, nausea, consti-
pation.
Puis. — For illness brought on by tobacco in those not
used to it.
Spig. — For heart distress.
Phos. — For blindness.
Arsen. — For restlessness and nervous prostration.
TOE-NAIL, INGROWING. See INGROWING TOE-
NAIL.
TONGUE. — The tongue is not only an indication of the state
of the digestion, it is an independent organ and sub-
ject to independent affections. It may be inflamed,
when it sometimes swells to a great size and protrudes
from the mouth, and it may be ulcerated.
General Treatment. — In cases of inflammation or ul-
ceration of the tongue there is not much to be done by
way of local treatment. Milk is the best diet, as more
easily swallowed and less irritating than any other food.
Medicines. —
Aeon. — Inflammation with swelling at the beginning. From
injury (either before or after Arnica).
Merc. — After Aconite ; or at first when there is violent
pain, swelling, hardness, and salivation ; also in ulcer-
ation of the tongue.
Bell. — After Merc, when this is not sufficient, and when
other parts of the mouth are painful and ulcerated. For
hardening of the tongue, either before or after Merc.
Paralysis of the tongue.
Am. — When the tongue is inflamed from injury. It
may be given after Aconite, if the latter is not sufficient.
Nat. m. — When the inflammation is due to the stings
of insects.
264 TOOTHACHE.
Hep. — When due to mercurial poisoning, if Bell, is not
sufficient.
TONSILS, ENLARGEMENT OF.— This is generally due to
some constitutional weakness, and must be treated con-
stitutionally.
General Treatment. — Open-air life, residence in the
country, abundance of good milk and cream, very little
sugar j in addition, cod-liver oil should be given three
times a day.
Medicines. — (Night and morning till improvement sets
in ; then wait and give no medicines so long as the
improvement lasts, repeating when it ceases.)
Baryt. c. — In pale, fat, scrofulous children, of indolent
disposition.
Calc. c. — In scrofulous children, fair ; cold, moist hands
and feet ; head perspiring at night.
For acute inflammation of tonsils, see QUINSY.
TOOTHACHE.— [For the care of the teeth and treatment of
decay, see under TEETH.]
Teeth may be the seat of pain, whether they are diseased
or not. The pain from a tooth may affect the eye, the
ear, or the face of the same side, and all the rest of the
teeth. It sometimes arises from irritation at the root
of the tooth, causing abscess, in which case there will
be swelling of the face, and gumboil ; it may arise from
cold, from cold drinks, from coffee or tobacco, or from
sugar. Decomposing food in a hollow tooth will gene-
rate acids that may set up toothache. It is often merely
a sign of low general health, and is a frequent accom-
paniment of the pregnant state.
General Treatment. — Indiscriminate extraction of pain-
ful teeth is always a bad plan, and they should never be
extracted when sound. A good dentist should be con-
sulted when the teeth are decayed, and such of them as
will bear filling should be filled. When a hollow tooth
TOOTHACHE. 265
is aching, all particles of food that may be in it should
be removed at once with a toothpick and a little cotton
wool. Coffee, sweets, and tobacco should be avoided
by those who are subject to toothache.
Medicines. - (Every half-hour till improvement or exacer-
bation occurs ; then leave off till improvement ceases,
when one or two more doses may be taken.)
Am. — [After extraction of teeth and operation, or fitting
in new teeth. Five drops of the tincture of Arnica
should be mixed with half a tumbler of tepid water,
and the mouth rinsed with this.] Pain after extraction
of teeth, much bleeding.
Coff. — Pains which drive the patient frantic, when they
cry, tremble, and do not know what to do ; pain as if
the blood pressed into the teeth, as if the teeth were
too close together; stinging, jerking pains; intermit-
tent pressure ; pain when chewing ; the pain is often
relieved by holding cold water in the mouth.
Aeon. — In cases where the pain drives the patient frantic,
after Coffea ; throbbing pains after taking cold ; rush
of blood to the head, burning face ; particularly useful
for children.
Cham. — For children, after Aeon. ; after vexation ; after
drinking coffee ; in women before the period ; after
taking cold when in a perspiration. The pain is un-
endurable, aggravated periodically ; worse in the night
from warmth, especially warmth of the bed; generally
begins after meals, especially after eating or drinking
anything warm ; the patients are irritable, and inclined
to cry.
Nux v. — For those who drink coffee, wine, and spirits ;
persons of a hasty temper. Pain as if the blood were
pressed into the teeth, and as if they were too long j
jerking, shooting pains in lower jaw ; pains begin in
bed, or in the evening, prevent chewing, are worse in
266 TOOTHACHE.
the open air, better for warmth, worse after eating or
exercise.
Puis. — Persons of a mild, quiet, timid disposition. For
toothache of one side, accompanied with earache.
Stinging pains, heat in head, chills over whole body ;
gnawing in gums, tearing jerking in the tooth itself;
jerking and tearing in the tooth, as if it would start
from the jaw, or throbbing pain ; aggravated by cold
water, the heat of the bed, a warm room, or taking
anything warm into the mouth ; relieved by cool air,
drawing cool air into the mouth, and in the open air
generally ; worse from sitting, better from walking
about; chewing does not make it worse. It comes on
generally in the evening, and is accompanied by chilli-
ness and pale face, or with heat without thirst ; tooth-
ache from drinking champagne.
Bell. — For women and children ; pain and anguish cause
restlessness, depression, and tendency to cry ; pricking
pains in teeth, radiating in all directions ; fulness ;
throbbing in the head, flushed face, bright eyes; the
pain comes on after meals ; teeth ache when exposed
to the air, when touched, when biting, when food or
hot liquids come in contact with them ; hard pressure
on the cheek relieves.
China. — Toothache in nursing women, or persons who
are run down in health ; pains throbbing, jerking,
tearing, drawing, or digging ; worse when in motion or
when touched, or by exposure to a draught of air ;
mouth dry, thirst, veins of forehead swell.
Merc. — When the teeth are decayed, or gumboil has
formed ; toothache with painful swelling of the cheek ;
pain affects the whole side of the face, drawing or
stinging pains extend to the ear, worse at night ; pain
increased by cold, especially by damp air ; teeth loose,
gums swell and become white and ulcerated.
TYPHOID FEVER. 267
Kreas. — Aching in decayed teeth when the gum is not
inflamed.
Ars. — Jerking, throbbing pains ; pain relieved by heat ;
in debilitated persons, especially children ; feverish,
with cold hands.
Bry.— For passionate, irritable, hot-headed, obstinate
persons ; pain in decayed teeth or sound ones ; shoot-
ing with stitches towards the ears ; teeth feel too long
and loose ; pains worse from smoking, in warm room,
from anything warm in the mouth ; when lying on the
affected cheek.
Staph. — When the teeth become black and scale off, gums
pale, white, ulcerated and swollen ; drawing, tearing
pains; worse in open air, when drinking anything cold;
when eating, during the night or towards morning.
Spig. — Tearing, shooting, burning pains in all directions ;
teeth sound ; pain worse from motion or noise.
Sitlph. — Jumping pains in decayed teeth, extending to
upper or lower jaw, or to the ear; toothache in the
evening, in the air, from draught, from rinsing the mouth
with cold water.
TYJHOID FEVER.— This is a disease which arises from
defective drainage. It is very rarely contagious from
person to person like infectious fevers generally, the
infectious principle being in the discharge from the
bowels. This is of an exceedingly subtle nature, so
that an infinitesimal quantity of the discharges from a
typhoid patient, if it finds its way into a well or a
stream that is used for drinking purposes or for wash-
ing vessels used for articles of food, will be sufficient
to infect all who drink of the water or eat of the food.
Milk often becomes a carrier of the contagion, con-
taminated water being used to dilute the milk or wash
the vessels used for carrying it. It is the risk of this
that renders it necessary to boil all milk before it is
268 TYPHOID FEVER.
drunk, when typhoid fever is about, and especially to
have the milk boiled that is given to the patients suffer-
ing from the disease, or otherwise they may be taking
the very thing that has given them the fever. The dis-
charges from typhoid patients should be carefully dis-
infected, and no water should ever be used for drinking
or washing purposes that is taken from a well that has
a privy or cesspool in its neighbourhood.
When a person has absorbed the poison of typhoid
he does not become ill at once. He may be a little out
of health, and not know what is the matter with him,
but he is not stricken down with the illness until ten
days or three weeks afterwards. Then he becomes
feverish, loses all strength, has pains and aches all over
him, and becomes delirious at night. With this there
is pain in the body, diarrhoea, the stools being like pea-
soup. The diarrhoea is the most characteristic feature
of the disease, and is due to inflammation leading to
ulceration of certain glands in the mucous membrane
of the bowels. This may go on to perforation of the
bowels, the ulcer eating quite through, when the con-
tents of the bowels escape into the cavity of the body,
causing inflammation (peritonitis) and death. These
ulcers often become the seat of bleeding, which may be
excessive and cause death by exhaustion. In some
cases there is no diarrhoea, but the opposite, constipa-
tion ; and these cases are rather more favourable than
the others. Typhoid has a characteristic eruption, con-
sisting of small red spots, like fleabites (without the
central point), which come and go. There are seldom
more than half a dozen out at a time. They are found
on the body, chest, and front of the wrists. The tempera-
ture in typhoid is peculiar. In the earlier stages it goes
up two degrees at night, and falls one degree by the fol-
lowing morning, and throughout it has this up-and down
character. The fever lasts twenty- one days, the most
TYPHOID FEVER. 269
dangerous day being the fourteenth. It is a disease
which is much subject to relapses, and sometimes the
patient goes from one relapse to another, the fever thus
lasting for months.
General Treatment. — The chief indication in the treat-
ment of typhoid fever is to maintain the strength. The
long duration of the illness puts a drain on a patient's
strength that must be met. At the same time the bowels
are in such a condition that only the most unirritating
form of nourishment can be borne. The least solid food,
if it passes the stomach undigested, may cause such irri-
tation of the inflamed or ulcerated surface of the bowels
that perforation may take place in consequence. Light
food only is admissible ; and of such milk in some
form, when it is tolerated, is the best. It should always
be boiled, for the reasons stated above, and may be
diluted with soda-water or lime-water. After milk
comes thick water-gruel, and, for a drink, barley-water.
If there is sickness, soda-water may be given. If there
is no diarrhoea, or only a little, strong beef, mutton-, or
chicken-tea, may be given, either liquid or in jelly. They
must be made strong, and in the case of chicken-tea
the whole bird must be cut up and bones pounded, and
then well boiled down. Nourishment should be given
regularly, at two hours' interval j if the patient takes a
fair amount, a breakfast-cupful at a time will be suffi-
cient of milk or gruel, and a tea-cupful of beef-tea.
When the patient is thirsty he may have as much
barley-water as he likes. When milk disagrees, Kou-
miss should be given instead, or else Benger's Pepton-
ized Food, which is, like Koumiss, partly digested
already
Of course an airy, well-ventilated room is a necessity.
The patient should be sponged with hot vinegar and
water (one part to six) night and morning. He must
never be allowed to rise from bed for any purpose, a
270 TYPHUS FEVER.
bed-pan being used to take away everything. The
nurse must be on the watch for bed-sores, and on the
first signs of redness she must bathe the part with
spirit.
Medicines. — (Only a few of the most useful can be indi-
cated here. Of course when there is a physician within
reach he must be consulted. Medicines must be given
every hour till the symptoms abate, and then at less
frequent intervals.)
Bap. — Dull, heavy appearance ; delirium, in which the
patient imagines he is in separate parts, and cannot get
himself together j diarrhoea with offensive stools.
Ars. — Great prostration, thirst, restlessness, anxious
delirium.
Bry. — Low fever, rheumatic pains in head and body,
worse from movement.
Ipec. — If there is blood in the motions, and the blood is
bright.
Ham. — Bleeding from the nose, and blood in the stools
the blood being dark.
TYPHUS FEVER.— Typhus fever was for a long time con-
founded with typhoid, the two diseases being considered
one and the same. Even now it is not always easy to
distinguish them. There is the same dusky, heavy
appearance in both, the same delirium, the same fever
and prostration, and the same tendency to lung com-
plications. The distinguishing feature is the presence
in typhoid of ulcers in the bowels. Consequently we
have in typhoid tenderness and bloating of the abdo-
men with diarrhoea. But there are cases of typhoid in
which diarrhoea is absent, and cases of typhus in which
it is present. Typhoid, again, runs twenty-one days, and
frequently relapses ; it does not decline suddenly, but
by degrees. Typhus only lasts fourteen days, and the
improvement takes place suddenly, by " crisis," as it is
ULCERS. 271
called. Then typhoid has the characteristic sparse rash,
whilst typhus has a general rash, like measles, only
darker. In typhus the head symptoms are generally
more prominent than in typhoid, and this has obtained
for it the name of " Brain-fever." It is also different
from typhoid in another important respect, though this
does not help the diagnosis at first — it is highly infec-
tious from person to person. It is essentially a filth-
generated disease, and never occurs except in over-
crowded and unsanitary neighbourhoods. It will, how-
ever, spread from thence by infection to the healthier
quarters of a town. The " Plague " is an intense form
of typhus, in which ulceration and inflammation of the
glands occur.
General Treatment. — This is essentially the same as
that recommended above for typhoid. Its duration of
fourteen days necessitates most careful nursing and
feeding to keep up the strength, as the wasting is
extreme.
Medicines. — (Every hour.)
Rhus. — Fever, delirium, restlessness.
Ars. — Great vital depression.
Agar. — Restlessness, twitching, tremor.
ULCERS. — Ulceration is local death of a part. The vitality
of any part of the body — as skin, bone, eye, or internal
organ — may be so impaired that a part of its tissue dies
and comes away, leaving a hole or ulcer. The causes
of ulceration are external injury, inflammation, blood-
poisoning, and any cause which weakens the general
health. When once tissue is lost in any of these ways,
the uninjured tissue around the part sets to work to
repair the loss, and if the vitality is not too much im-
paired it will fill the part with " granulations," as they
are called, which are red, velvety projections of base-
ment tissue, over which the outer skin can spread and
272 ULCERS.
form a scar. This is the end aimed at in the treatment
of all ulcers. Ulcers are simple — which result from
injury and heal without trouble ; constitutional, due to
some constitutional taint, as scrofula ; varicose, due to
the defective circulation in a limb which is affected
with varicose veins.
General Treatment. — The simple ulcer requires little
treatment. The application of simple ointment (as
Calendula ointment or Cetacean ointment) until a
healthy scab has formed, is all that will be required.
If the healing process flags, or the general health is not
good, one or other of the medicines mentioned below
may be given. Chronic or constitutional ulcers of
whatever kind should be very carefully dealt with.
They are often the expression of a defective general
state, and if they are healed up rapidly by means of
strong ointments it is very likely that something much
worse will happen. The general health must be con-
sidered first, a wholesome diet and regimen adopted.
If the patient indulges in alcoholic drinks, these must
be stopped. Milk, eggs, whole-meal bread, green vege-
tables, fresh meat and fish, are good ; sweets, pastry,
spices, and all rich foods are bad. The limb (when the
ulcer is on a limb) should be supported by a light
bandage, the ulcer being covered with a piece of linen
on which a simple ointment is spread (Calendula,
Cetacean ointment, or Resin ointment). If the ulcer
is foul, it may be cleaned by a bread or yeast poultice.
The dressing should be changed two or three times a
day, according to the amount of discharge. Some cases
of indolent ulcer require perfect rest for their healing.
For varicose ulcers the use of the rubber bandage is
often of very great advantage.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Hep. — Slightest injuries ulcerate. In persons whose
flesh always heals badly.
URINARY DIFFICULTIES. 273
Ars. — Ulcers which burn badly. Ulcers on the toes,
which begin with blue- black spots, especially if warmth
relieves the pains.
Carb. v. — Ulcers which burn and smell offensively.
Lack. — Ulcers which spread, and are surrounded with
pustules or small ulcers.
Si/. — Ulcers on the toes, especially in old people, com-
mencing with a blister as if caused by a burn.
Sec. — Ulcers on the toes, beginning with black spot ;
when warmth aggravates or produces pain.
Ant. c. — Ulcers round an old wart or corn.
URINARY DIFFICULTIES.— The conditions of the urine
itself which call for treatment are increase or decrease
of quantity, and changes in the odour, colour, and
contents. The abnormal conditions of passing water
are — painful urination, too frequent urination or too
rare, and involuntary urination. These conditions may
depend on affection of the kidneys, of the bladder
(including stone), or affection of the passages.
General Treatment. — Nurses should always see that
new-born infants pass water, and call the doctor's
attention if there is any delay. Sometimes a slight
malformation in boys prevents them passing water, and
this will need seeing to at once. Older boys have
difficulty from the passage being too narrow, or the fore-
skin too long, and for this the remedy is circumcision,
and should not be delayed. It is a very dangerous
thing 10 go too long without passing water, and may
result in rupture of the bladder or permanent weakness.
Too frequent passing of water, in increased quantities,
especially if accompanied with thirst, should arouse
suspicion of diabetes, and a doctor should be consulted
without delay. Too frequent and too copious urination
may be due to nervous causes producing irritability
of kidneys and bladder. With some children the ex-
s
274 URINARY DIFFICULTIES.
citement of a railway journey is sufficient to cause this ;
nervousness before an examination will cause it some-
times. This condition is of little consequence, and
passes away when the cause is removed. Harm may
be done if children from shyness are afraid to relieve
themselves, and care should be taken to see that they
have plenty of opportunity for so doing.
The opposite condition — diminished secretio?i of urine
— indicates, if there is no obstruction in the passages,
something wrong with the kidneys ; and if it is not
speedily removed, medical advice should be sought
without delay. Warm baths, warm foot-baths, thin
oatmeal gruel, and plenty of mucilaginous drinks should
be administered in the meantime. These will often act
on the kidneys and remove the constant desire to
urinate, with burning and pain when present.
Medicines. — (Every fifteen minutes to three times a day
according to urgency.)
Aeon. — Stoppage after a chill. Painful urging, children
put their hands to the parts and scream. Urine red,
dark-tinted; only few drops pass.
Canth. — After Aconite, if not speedily successful.
Puis. — Pressing, cutting pains in bladder on passing
water ; urging ; especially for women in whom the
menses are suppressed, tardy, or scanty.
Bell. — Piercing pain whilst urinating, extending from the
back to the bladder in spells ; great anxiety, restless-
ness, colic.
Aflis.—Ahei suppressed eruption ; burning, stinging, itch-
ing in various parts ; shudders, feels chilly on moving,
especially in the evening ; heat without thirst.
Opium. — Most dangerous cases. Bladder paralysed,
neither stool nor urine passes. Infants who have
nursed soon after the mother was very angry or much
frightened.
Ar?i. — Bloody urine after injuries.
URINARY DIFFICULTIES. 275
China. — Bloody urine alter excesses.
Camph. — Total suppression ; burning pains ; it antidotes
cantharides, or "Spanish-fly."
Ign. — Increased urine from nervousness.
Scil. — Too frequent or too abundant passage of pale
urine — " Diabetes insipidus."
Involuntary Emission of Urine — Wetting the Bed. — This
is an affection of childhood and old age chiefly. The
emission may occur in children whilst running or play-
ing, but most frequently it happens in sleep. The
cruel practice adopted by some parents of beating
their children cannot be too severely condemned. It
is a disease for which the child is in no way responsible,
and not a bad habit. Children who surfer in this way
must avoid all foods which tend to increase the amount
of water secreted, as melons, asparagus, cucumber,
celery ; also all acids and fatty foods, beer, tea, or
coffee. In the morning they may take milk with water
or cocoa, but not at night. Water itself is good for
them, as it diminishes the acidity of the urine. Butter
is good for them at night, but they must not be allowed
to go to bed immediately after supper. They should
also be taken up to urinate one or two hours after going
to bed.
Medicines. — (In the morning on waking, and half an
hour before going to bed.)
Puis. — Tender, delicate children, inclined to weep, easily
turn pale or red ; if fat food disagrees with them, urine
offensive, lying upon the back in sleep.
Nux v. — Children who arc easily made angry, obstinate ;
offensive urine.
Bell. — Not sleeping on the back, or but seldom j self-
willed, lively children who cry easily ; children who
perspire easily and take cold easily ; urine sometimes
passing involuntarily during the day, especially when
276 VARICOSE VEINS.
standing. Urine pale and watery, passes often and in
great quantities.
CWr.— Stout, fat children, who drink much and perspire
easily, especially the head perspiring at night ; fre-
quently urinating during the day, and passing little at
a time. After Sulph.
Sulph. — Cases which resist other well-indicated remedies.
Thin children with large bodies, constantly unwell ;
fond of sugar and sharp foods, do not like to be
washed.
Caust. — Useful also in the incontinence of older people.
The urine passes when sneezing, coughing, or walking;
or during the first sleep at night. Children with black
hair and eyes.
Ferrum. — For adults as well as children. Urine passed
involuntarily during the day. Thin, chilly children
with cold hands and feet, sleeping all day, dream
much, and do not like to get up in the morning; con-
stant running from the nose ; get a cough or diarrhoea
every time they take cold.
Cina. — When there are worms, and the characteristic
symptoms of the condition.
VACCINATION. See under INFANTS.
VARICOSE VEINS.— This is a distended condition of the
veins of the softer and more dependent parts. It is
due to weakening of their walls from some degenerative
change, in consequence of which they are unable to
withstand the pressure of the blood within. Varicose
veins are often found in rheumatic persons. Varicose
veins are generally painless, except when the veins
become inflamed or give rise to ulcers. When the
space or the back of the knee is the seat of varicose
veins, pain in the knee is a frequent accompaniment.
General Treatment. — The chief indication is to give
the veins support, both in their tissues and externally.
VEXATION— VOMITING. 277
External support is best afforded by an ordinary roller
bandage, an elastic stocking, or an india-rubber bandage
applied to the limb. The last is the best, as it is not
only a support, but is actually curative in many instances.
Rest in the recumbent position is always a great help,
and standing is of course bad. Where there is a ten-
dency to varicose veins, much standing will be sufficient
to cause them.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Puis. — When there is pain in the veins and they have a
tendency to inflame. Most useful in mild-tempered,
impressionable persons.
Ham. — Perhaps the most useful of all medicines in
varicose conditions.
Ac.fluor. — In old-standing cases, after Hamamelis.
VERTIGO. See DIZZINESS and GIDDINESS.
VEXATION. — Sometimes vexation is attended with serious
disturbances of the bodily and mental health. These
may be warded off or counteracted by the following
Medicines (every few minutes until relieved) : —
Cham. — When the vexation is attended with violent fits
of anger. Also when there is acute disturbance of
digestion — a hot, bitter taste, retching, vomiting of
bile, headache, nausea, oppression at the stomach,
cutting pains in the bowels, diarrhoea.
Aeon. — Restlessness, dry skin, pressure of the stomach as
from a stone ; want of sleep, fulness in the head.
Ignat. — When grief or shame is the consequence of
vexation.
VISION. See BLINDNESS, SIGHT.
VOMITING. — Vomiting may be brought about by many
causes. It is often merely one symptom of many that
the patient is ill, and must never be regarded as a
disease in itself, unless all other disorders have been
278 VOMITING.
found, after careful examination of the patient, to be
absent. Cold may cause vomiting without any other
symptoms, and strong emotions may do the same. For
special kinds of vomiting see under DYSPEPSIA,
PREGNANCY, SEA-SICKNESS.
General Treatment. — Vomiting is very often an effort
of nature to relieve the stomach of a mass of food it is
for some reason unable to digest — -as when a chill has
been taken during digestion ; or after fright or vexation.
In these cases the only thing to be done is to assist
the stomach to get rid of what has become to it a
foreign body. The simplest method to induce vomit-
ing is to tickle the back of the throat with a feather, or
the patient may be made to swallow a few draughts of
tepid water. When vomiting occurs from other causes,
or when it continues after the contents of the stomach
have been discharged, remedial measures will be needed.
Little lumps of ice may be given to suck, Koumiss, or
milk and soda-water (iced if necessary), may be given
to drink until the stomach is able to retain other food.
Cream, gruel, arrowroot with sugar, and afterwards
strong broth or beef-tea; may be tried. Only very little
at a time must be given at first, and very frequently.
Medicines. — (Every ten minutes, or less often according
to urgency, ceasing to repeat as soon as the desired
effect is produced.)
Arnica. — When caused by a fall or blow on the head ;
vomiting of blood.
Ipec. — When the tongue is clean or very lightly coated ;
when the symptoms appear after cold, and especially
when a rash has been suppressed ; vomiting of blood.
Bell. — After Ipec, vomited matter sour or bitter, with
empty eructations.
Cocc— Vomiting from cold; worse after exercise, eating,
speaking ; when riding, after sleep.
WALKING, LATE— WARTS. 279
Card. v. — After eating cold fruit, or drinking ice-water.
Frequent eructations of wind. Vomiting of blood.
Arsen. — Vomiting returning from every motion of the
body, and yet the patient is unable to keep quiet; is
very weak, thirsty, but every drink makes him worse.
Aeon. — Vomiting caused by a fright.
Puis. — Vomiting after every meal ; only very little food
can be taken ; the least surfeit causes vomiting with
spasms and cutting pain in the bowels, or giddiness and
vomiting of white, tough mucus, diarrhoea, weakness of
the limbs, and sometimes fainting.
Nux v. — After Puis., or when vomiting is brought on by
over-indulgence in alcohol or tobacco.
WALKING, LATE. — Late walking is one of the principal
symptoms of the disease called RICKETS, and the
treatment prescribed under that heading will be re-
quired for cases of this kind.
WAKEFULNESS. See under SLEEP.
WARTS. — Warts are generally an indication of a constitu-
tional disposition to which Hahnemann gave the name
of " Sycosis." It is therefore much better to remove
them by internal medication than by applying caustics,
which are not by any means always free from danger.
Medicines. — (Night and morning for a few days, allowing
then a time for the medicine to act, repeating it when
its effect seems to be exhausted.)
Thuja. — Especially when the warts appear in crops.
Calc. c. — On the sides of the fingers.
Dulc. — On the backs of the fingers.
Natr. m. — Fleshy or seed warts.
Acid. nit. — Itching, pricking, or sticking in warts.
Sul. — Hard, painful, throbbing warts.
Sep. — Large, hard, horny warts ; on the body.
WASTING. See EMACIATION.
28o WATER-BRASH (PYROSIS).
WATER-BRASH (PYROSIS).— This is an affection con-
sisting of a severe spasmodic pain at the pit of the
stomach, followed by the eructation of a quantity of
watery fluid which gives relief. It is similar to heart-
burn^ but in the latter there is more burning and less
spasm, and the fluid ejected is generally very acrid.
There is, however, no very marked distinction between
the two, which are often combined in the same patient.
The fluid probably originates in the mucous glands of
the stomach near its outlet (or pyloric orifice), where
there is sometimes found to be thickening in patients
who have suffered much from the complaint.
General Treatment. — When the affection is combined
with symptoms of disordered digestion the measures
advised under DYSPEPSIA will have to be observed.
A draught of cold water in the morning is sometimes
helpful. The use of alkalies and alkaline drinks must
be avoided.
Medicines.
Pulsatilla. — In persons of the blonde type, with mild
dispositions. When there is chilliness after eating
pork or rich food.
Verat. — Great coldness and violent pains in the
stomach.
Bry. — After eating too much ; with pain at the pit of the
stomach.
Arsen. — After ice-cream ; burning in the stomach ; agita-
tion, thirst.
Nux. — Headache, heaviness in the stomach, nausea.
China. — When the symptoms come on especially after
eating.
WEANING. See under INFANTS (Weaning).
WETTING THE BED. See under URINARY DIFFI-
CULTIES.
WHITES (LEUCORRH(KA) -WHITLOW. 281
WHITES (LEUCORRHCEA). - This is a discharge of mucus,
often whitish, from the mucous membrane of the vagina.
It is of very common occurrence in women and even in
children. It may be accompanied by symptoms of
local irritation or of general weakness, and it is often
due to a poor state of the general health.
General Treatment. — Attention to the general health
is of the first importance ; wholesome food, at regular
times, and a reasonable amount of open-air exercise,
or driving if walking aggravates the complaint. The
use of pessaries is a common cause, and when this
is the case they must be removed. Simple cleanliness
is all that is required in the way of local treatment.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Calc. c— In women of lymphatic constitution or in young
children \ when the periods return too frequently and
are too profuse ; worse before the period ; when
accompanied by itching and burning ; shooting in the
parts j falling of the womb.
Puis. — When it occurs immediately before, during, and
after the period; in young girls who have never men-
struated ; from fright ; discharge thick, corrosive, at-
tended with itching. Useful in children after Calc. c.
Sepia. — Greenish and thick, or profuse, watery, and
offensive ; with bearing-down sensation.
Nat. m. — In chilly subjects, with earthy complexion,
constipation. Discharge copious, transparent, whitish
and thick mucus, at times corroding.
Sulph. — In obstinate cases : discharge sometimes yel-
lowish, burning, corrosive, and preceded by colic ; after
repelled eruptions or ulcers.
Alumina. — In obstinate cases ; profuse discharge ; raised
itching spots in the vagina.
WHITLOW. — This is an inflammation affecting the deep
tissues of the last joint of the finger or thumb. A
282 WHOOPING COUGH.
superficial inflammation of the finger-ends about the
nails forming blisters is sometimes called by this name,
but erroneously. The matter formed in a whitlow is
in close connection with the bone, among the fibrous
tissues covering the bone, and, unless speedily relieved,
it may cause destruction of the bone itself.
General Treatment. — Apply wet cloths, either hot or
cold, whichever give the most relief. Painting the
finger with the 3X dilution of Phosphorus will some-
times abort the disease. If suppuration occurs, and
the disease is progressing, a free incision must be made
right down to the bone, that the matter may escape.
The wound must be dressed with Calendula lotion.
Medicines. — (Every hour until relief is obtained.)
Merc. — At the beginning. It will often prevent suppura-
tion.
Sulph. — After Merc, to complete the cure. Sulph. and
Silica given alternately at long intervals (one dose of
each a week) will remove the tendency to whitlow.
Hep. — Pain violent, throbbing, swelling increasing.
Caust. — After Hepar, if this gives no relief.
Silic. — If Hepar has relieved a little, but not averted the
progress of the disease. To remove the tendency, see
Sulph.
Lack. — Deep red or bluish colour of the part.
Arsen. — The sore angry-looking or black, with burning
pain.
WHOOPING COUGH.— This is a contagious disease, usually
prevailing in epidemics. It is generally an affection of
childhood, which few individuals escape, but it also not
unfrequently attacks adults.
At first it appears as an ordinary " cold," with chilli-
ness, slight fever, and a dry fatiguing cough, which
WHOOPING COUGH. 283
returns in paroxysms. This stage lasts generally a few
days, but it may last a fortnight. This is the catarrhal
stage. In the second stage — nervous, spasmodic, or
convulsive stage — all the characteristic symptoms show
themselves. The paroxysms are excessively violent
and distressing. There are a series of short expiratory
efforts, followed by a long, slow inspiration, accom-
panied by the peculiar whooping or crowing sound
from which the disease gets its name. The paroxysms
follow one another in quick succession until the patient
vomits or gets up a quantity of glairy mucus. During a
paroxysm the face becomes swollen and livid, the veins
of the neck swell, and sometimes bleeding from the
nose or into the tissues of the eye occurs. This stage
may last for months. It is often complicated by in-
flammation of the lungs or bronchitis, and then there is
considerable danger. Convulsions are another danger-
ous complication.
In the third stage, or stage of decline, the paroxysms
grow shorter, less frequent, and less violent ; the whoop
generally disappears, and the cough becomes indis-
tinguishable from an ordinary cough.
General Treatment. — It will be necessary to guard
against chills. Food should be light and plain, and
all stimulating foods and drinks studiously avoided.
Mental emotions should also be carefully guarded
against. When a change of air can be obtained it is
often desirable.
Medicines. — (Every few hours until relief is obtained.)
Aeon. — At the beginning. Cough dry, whistling, fever ;
burning sensation in the larynx.
Pu/s.— Loose cough, with vomiting.
Bell. — Cough dry and hollow, or harsh and hacking ;
worse at night, with congestion to the head, and head-
ache or sore throat.
284 WHOOPING COUGH.
Nux. — Cough dry, with vomiting and great agitation,
blueness of the face, fear of suffocation ; comes on after
midnight and lasts till morning.
Ipec. — Fear of suffocation; may be given after every
paroxysm.
Veratrum. — Great weakness, fever, cold perspiration,
especially on the forehead, with quick, weak pulse, and
much thirst. Involuntary discharge of urine during
the paroxysm, or pains in the chest, body, or groin.
When the child is not lively between the paroxysms ;
neck so weak that it will hardly support the head.
Useful after Cuprum.
Drosera. — Cough worse during the night; patient worse
at rest than when in motion ; chilliness not accom-
panied by thirst, but followed by it ; sweat not cold
but rather warm, and occurs only at night ; paroxysms
violent, ending in vomiting of food.
Calc. — Cough comes on while eating, and food is imme-
diately thrown up.
Cupr. — Entire rigidity of the body or convulsions after
each paroxysm, vomiting in the attack, and rattling of
mucus in the chest while coughing.
Arnica. — Bleeding from nose or mouth, or when effused
into the eyes or the tissues round the eyes. When each
paroxysm of the cough is preceded or followed by crying.
Hepar. — When the cough is diminishing, but is still dry
and hoarse, or hollow and ringing, with occasional
retching, followed by fits of crying.
Ant. tart. — When given at the beginning will sometimes
cut short the disease, or diminish its violence. In
more advanced stages, when the air-pipes are apparently
choked up with mucus, the cough sounding as if there
was much phlegm on the chest, which, however, will
not come up. P'ace bluish.
WORMS. 285
WORMS. — Under this heading I shall speak of two kinds
of worms — Ron ?id -worms and Thread-worms. These
are the commonest of the intestinal parasites met with.
I have treated of Tape-worms under a separate heading.
In considering this affection it must be borne in
mind that the parasite does not constitute the whole of
the disease, and its expulsion is not the same thing as
curing the patient. The patient's constitution must
also be considered. It is only in unhealthy states that
the parasites give trouble, and they may be present for
years without the patient's being aware of it.
The round-worm (Ascaris lumbricoides) is very like
an earth-worm in size and shape. Sometimes large
numbers are found, and instances have occurred in
which masses of them have formed obstruction of the
bowels. They may be found in every part of the
intestinal tract. Thread-worms are much smaller. They
are found chiefly in the caecum, or " blind-gut " — the
part where the small intestine is joined on to the
large. They travel down to the lower bowel to lay
their eggs, and it is when there that they give rise
to symptoms of irritation. The eggs of the creature
are very minute, and can readily find lodgment under
the finger-nails of children when the irritation makes
them scratch themselves. If then they put their fingers
to their mouths the eggs may be swallowed and again
hatched when they find their way into the bowels.
General Treatment. — The healthier the patient the
less agreeable " host " does he become for worms, and
the sooner are they disposed to leave him. Attention
to the general health and surroundings is therefore of
great importance. Foul air is a great predisposing
cause. Pastry, unripe fruit, salads, salt, except in
moderation, should be forbidden. Biead should only
be allowed in small quantities. Ripe fruit, cooked and
dried fruits and carrots are good.
286 WOUNDS.
When there is much irritation at the anus an injection
of warm water (about three-quarters of a tumbler), in
which five drops of turpentine or eau de Cologne have
been mixed, will kill all the worms that may be present
in the lower bowel, and give instant relief to the irri-
tation.
Medicines. — (Two or three times a day.)
Cina.— Picking the nose, grating the teeth in sleep, en-
larged body, irritation at the anus. Colic caused by
worms, inclination to vomit, water collects in the mouth,
the parts about the navel are hard, body distended,
straining to stool, only slime evacuated ; after Aconite.
Aeon. — Colic caused by worms at the commencement.
Also when febrile symptoms appear. Itching at the
anus.
Merc. — After Aeon, and Cina. if these are not sufficient.
Sulph. — Is particularly useful after Mercurius.
Bell. — Much thirst, sudden starting and fright.
Nux v. — Itching internal or external, worse when sitting
or moving ; after taking stimulating food or drinks.
WOUNDS. — After all injuries which fall short of destroying
life there is a natural tendency on the part of the organ-
ism to repair the damage done — that is, if the person
injured is in good health at the time. If he is not in
good health the vital reaction may be so feeble that a
small injury may be attended with serious and even fatal
results. A crushed finger, which in the case of a healthy
person would be well in a few weeks, may in a sickly
person refuse to heal at all ; gangrene and mortification
may follow and spread, and finally death may ensue.
But these cases are exceptional. Generally a wound
will heal of itself, and all that it is necessary to do is
to assist nature to do her work. This may be done in
many ways, chiefly by giving support to the part and
keeping the wound clean. For a simple and superficial
WOUNDS. 287
wound the less that is done to it the better. If the
serous fluid that exudes from it is allowed to form a
crust or scab, healing will take place beneath, and the
scab will fall off when the process is complete.
If the superficial wound is over some sharp, bony
prominence, as the shin, more care will be needed. If
the scab does not form well, the part should be painted
with Collodion (a solution of gun-cotton in chloroform
or ether), a gummy kind of liquid which soon sets and
forms a good skin over the part. Instead of Collodion
the skin of an egg may be used. It should be cut into
strips, and laid on the wound with the side next the
shell on the wound.
Wounds that require treatment are of three principal
kinds — (1) incised wounds or cuts; (2) punctured
wounds or stabs, as when a nail or knife is run into a
part ; (3) lacerated wounds, as when the parts are torn
and bruised.
Bleeding from Wounds. — All these wounds are apt to
give rise to great loss of blood. This only occurs when
some considerable vessel — artery or vein— has been
injured. If it is an artery the blood will be bright in
colour and will come out in jets ; if it is a vein the flow
will be steady and the colour dark. The arterial bleed-
ing is the most serious, and no time should be lost in
summoning medical aid. But those at hand must at
once proceed to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding point
can be seen, pressure on the spot with the thumb or a small
pad will stop it. If the bleeding point cannot be found
tie a handkerchief round the limb tightly just above the
wound on the side nearest the heart. This will com-
press the arteries and prevent the stream of blood
passing through. If the artery that beats above the
wound can be found, pressure may be made upon that
either with the thumb or good-sized cork laid along it
and firmly secured with a bandage. This will do away
288 ■ WOUNDS.
with the necessity of constricting the whole of the limb
If the bleeding is dark and venous, a pad must be
placed over the bleeding point and firmly secured. A
little oozing will do no harm if it soon ceases. The
wounded limb should be elevated and kept raised up.
The above measures will be chiefly called for in cuts
and lacerated wounds.
Punctured wounds are dangerous if they are deep,
because there is only a small outlet. All impurities
that may have existed on the weapon will be left in the
wound, and the effused blood will not be able to escape
properly. If inflammation ensues it is often necessary
to open the track of the weapon and convert a punc-
tured wound into an incised one.
If the wound has been made with a rusty nail, a
splinter, or a piece of glass that cannot be entirely
extracted, drop into it daily a little balsai?i of Peru, or
else Canada balsam. The wound will then heal from
below. If there is much inflammation apply Hypericwn
oil.
All open wounds must be cleansed by means of for-
ceps, or a stream of water, or both, from all particles of
dirt, glass, iron, splinters, or whatever may have got into
them. If it is impossible to remove everything do not
close up the wound completely, and apply only a light
dressing.
In closing a wound there are two objects to be at-
tained— (i) the severed edges of the skin should be
brought accurately together, and (2) the deep parts
should be supported.
In the case of deep wounds the surgeon will put in
deep stitches; in extensive wounds that are not so
deep the edges of skin may be brought together with
skin-stitches ; in less severe wounds strips of adhesive
plaister will do all that is necessary. These should be
long; they should run at right angles to the cut. Gentle
WOUNDS. 289
traction should be made on the skin in the direction
towards the wound before the strips are fixed. This
will prevent any tendency to drawing asunder of the
flaps, and make it easier for them to unite. Over the
strips may be placed a fold or two of lint to take up
any discharge that may ooze from the wound, and over
all a bandage is needed to support the limb or part.
The dressing must be changed once or twice a day,
according to the amount of discharge. If there is none,
and the wound is going on well, the dressing need not
be changed so often.
Dressings. — In superficial wounds, if the part can be
kept at rest till a scab forms no dressing will be
needed. If it is necessary to form a protecting cover-
ing, Collodion may be painted on, or the skin from an
egg-shell, as described above.
For deeper wounds, where there is redness, swelling,
and pain, cold water compresses may be applied. They
should be covered with oil-silk, and changed frequently.
Where there are no signs of inflammation a dry
dressing is to be preferred. Calendula ointme?it is cne
of the most useful of all dressings. It may be spread on
lint and applied over the cut. It will assist the healing,
and at the same time prevent the dressing sticking into
the wound. A lotion made of one part of the tincture
of Calendula to ten of water may be used for cleansing
the wound. A good plan is to syringe out the wound
with the lotion ; a jet may thus be brought to bear on
any part. Whilst this is being done the limb should be
placed over a large open vessel, or a dressing-tray made
for the purpose, to catch the liquid or discharges.
In removing dressings it is necessary to take oft" the
plaisters by taking hold of each end and drawing each
end off towards the wound. If only one end is taken
hold of and the strip is drawn oft" in one direction for
the whole of its length, after it is pulled oft' as far as
290 WOUNDS.
the wound it tends to drag the wound open. If the
dressing sticks at all it should be thoroughly moistened
with warm water before an attempt is made to take it
off. When thoroughly moistened it will come off
without any difficulty and without giving pain. As
soon as the edges of a wound are strongly united
any stitches that have been put in may be cut and
removed.
Treatment of the Patient. -When a patient has re-
ceived a wound he should be kept perfectly quiet, and
the wounded part should be kept in an elevated position.
If fainting occurs it need occasion no alarm. It is
often an advantage, as it prevents the patient feeling
pain, and greatly lessens the tendency to dangerous
bleeding. So long as there is bleeding do not give
the patient much drink, and nothing at all warm. A
little vinegar and water may be given. During the
process of healing rest and light diet must be pre-
scribed.
Medicines. (Every ten minutes to every two or three
hours, according to the urgency of the symptoms.)
Aeon. — If there are constitutional symptoms, restless-
ness, fever, dry skin.
Coffea. — If with restlessness there is great excitement.
Chi. — If there has been much loss of blood. If the
patient turns blue and becomes convulsed.
Verat. — Where there is collapse, pinched expression, cold
extremities, cold sweat, especially on forehead.
Apis. — Punctured wounds, red, sensitive to touch, burn-
ing, piercing, stinging pain, spreading redness.
Arse?i. — Redness running in stripes from the wound along
the limb.
Am. — Where there is much bruising of the tissues. It
may be applied locally only where there is no break on
the skin ; if the wound becomes blue. See BRUISES.
Calend — For lacerated wounds with jagged edges, very
WRY-NECK. 291
painful. Such wounds should be kept moistened with
a lotion made of the tincture in the proportion of one
part to ten of water.
Hypericum. — For cuts, thrusts, bruises, or lacerated
wounds where the pain is excessive, and where nervous
symptoms, such as spasms, come on. It may be given
internally and applied locally as Calendula.
WRY-NECK. — This is generally a rheumatic affection of
the muscles of the neck. The commonest cause of it
is chill, though a sudden turn of the head will some-
times seem to cause it. It is attended with great pain
on every movement of the muscles involved, compel-
ling the patient to hold his head fixed in such a position
that no strain is put upon them. After a few days of
suffering the muscles gradually return to their normal
state, when freedom of movement is restored. When
the condition is persistent it may depend on some
disorder of the spinal nerves.
General Treatment. — The application of heat is the
best local remedy. For this purpose hot flannels, hot
salt or bran in a flannel bag, or hot irons may be used.
The last is perhaps the most efficacious. A few folds
of brown paper are laid on the affected part, and over
these is passed a hot flat iron.
Medicines. — (Every hour or two until relieved.)
Aeon. — If traceable to a distinct chill, and if the patient is
peevish, restless, and anxious.
Bry. — The part is painful to touch. The least motion
causes great pain.
Act. r. — Rheumatic pains and stiffness in muscles of neck
and back.
Puis. — Pains better out-of-doors, worse in-doors.
1'RINTED BY BALLANTYKE, HANSON- AND CO.
LONDON AND EDINHURGH
&*
\>>
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11